A large, modern, multi-storey atrium with lots of glass. Open galleries and staircases connect the spaces. There are wooden floors, black railings and various seating and work areas. There are long tables and plants on the ground floor, while neon “Game” and “Expo” signs are visible on the upper floors. A lot of light enters through the glass roof.

A future-proof building for Inholland

Education
Client
Inholland University
Year
2024
Location
Amsterdam
BVO
31.000m2
Klant
Inholland University
Jaar
2024
Locatie
Amsterdam
BVO
31.000m2

The task

Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam had the ambition to create an almost energy-neutral (BENG) educational building, in line with the future green residential and working district De Sluisbuurt. The new building was supposed to provide a central location for various courses, including Health, Sports & Welfare, Technology, Creative Business and more. Key goals were an open, connected and sustainable learning environment, with space for collaboration and encounters.

Een lichte lounge met grote ramen, zwarte tafels, gele vloerkleden en comfortabele stoelen. Op de achtergrond staan planten in potten en is een stedelijk uitzicht zichtbaar.
A spacious atrium with a wooden staircase, open galleries, and various work areas. On the right are round seats with yellow accents and large cylindrical ceiling decorations.
An open atrium lounge with round seats, a “Game” room with a yellow sign and glass walls, and striking cylindrical yellow decorations on the ceiling.
“Flexible zones encourage collaboration and focus.”
An intimate sitting area with a round black table, black chairs, and a yellow rug. Yellow ceiling decorations hang above the room, with a glass-walled conference room in the back.
A large multi-story atrium, wooden floors, and a central staircase. There are long tables and plants on the ground floor, and there are work and lounge areas on the upper floors.
A cozy sitting area with a yellow sofa, a black round table and a large glass wall. Modern buildings and planters are visible outside.

About this project

Architectural design and routing

The building, designed by Cepezed, is based on a U-shaped concept with a spacious atrium and an organizing central route. This route connects all floors and functions, starting at the entrance and ending at the roof garden on the third floor. The route is also connected to a city balcony that overlooks Amsterdam. This design offers logical orientation, clear organization and strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Human scale interior

ZENBER Architects designed the interior to perfectly match the architectural concept. Colourful accents, functional boxes, chandeliers and frames give the interior a human scale and clear structure. These elements not only improve functionality, but also make the large spaces inviting and recognisable.

1. Color accents: Warm colors (ochre and terra) are used in living spaces, while cool colors (olive and azure) define the study landscapes. These color zones provide orientation and enhance the functionality of the spaces.

2. Functional boxes: Three striking boxes (Foodbox, Expobox and Gamebox) add a playful and recognisable element to the atrium. They offer clear function zones and support navigation through the building.

3. Chandeliers: Large chandeliers, made from recycled petfelt, act as acoustic and visual eye-catchers. They bring atmosphere to the high spaces and enhance the human scale.

4. Frames and foils: In the study landscapes, colorful foils with Amsterdam patterns and frames provide defined study zones. These frames offer views, brainstorming opportunities and a pleasant atmosphere.

A bright space with comfortable seats, yellow accents and round tables. Large cylindrical decorations hang from the ceiling, and in the background are windows with urban views.
“Chandeliers combine scale, atmosphere and acoustics.”

Highlights

Sustainability

The building is almost energy neutral (BENG) and uses recycled and sustainable materials, such as petfelt and Cradle-to-Cradle furniture.

Flexibility and functionality

Colourful accents, boxes and frames create a functional, dynamic learning environment with clear orientation.

Green and health

Strategically placed green elements strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces and contribute to a healthy learning environment.

Re-use

95% of the existing furniture has been reused, which is in line with Inholland's circular vision.

Iconic chandeliers

Recycled chandeliers add visual and acoustic quality to the high spaces.

A glass “Game” room with a yellow sign and a lounge with chairs and tables inside. There is a light wooden floor in front of the room.

Credits

Team ZENBER
Eric Wezenberg
Ingrid Heijne
Giusy Mazzarella
Carlien den Uijl
 Project management
E&W Advisor
Acoustic consultant
Contractor
Interior builder
Brandsing Meubelmakers en Sant interiors
Licht plan
Project photography
ZENBER Architecten
Building architect
Green landscaping
Projectinrichting
Graphic design
ZENBER Architecten
Huisvestingadviseur
Installatie advies
Constructie adviseur
W&C Adviseur
Meubilair
Constructeur
Bouwfysica
View more
Innovative work in the iconic Westerlaantoren
Offices
Stolt-Nielsen
A large, modern, multi-storey atrium with lots of glass. Open galleries and staircases connect the spaces. There are wooden floors, black railings and various seating and work areas. There are long tables and plants on the ground floor, while neon “Game” and “Expo” signs are visible on the upper floors. A lot of light enters through the glass roof.Een lichte lounge met grote ramen, zwarte tafels, gele vloerkleden en comfortabele stoelen. Op de achtergrond staan planten in potten en is een stedelijk uitzicht zichtbaar.

A future-proof building for Inholland

Education
Client
Inholland University
Year
2024
Location
Amsterdam
BVO
31.000m2
Client
Inholland University
Year
2024
Location
Amsterdam
BVO
31.000m2

The task

Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam had the ambition to create an almost energy-neutral (BENG) educational building, in line with the future green residential and working district De Sluisbuurt. The new building was supposed to provide a central location for various courses, including Health, Sports & Welfare, Technology, Creative Business and more. Key goals were an open, connected and sustainable learning environment, with space for collaboration and encounters.

Een lichte lounge met grote ramen, zwarte tafels, gele vloerkleden en comfortabele stoelen. Op de achtergrond staan planten in potten en is een stedelijk uitzicht zichtbaar.
A spacious atrium with a wooden staircase, open galleries, and various work areas. On the right are round seats with yellow accents and large cylindrical ceiling decorations.

About this projct

Architectural design and routing

The building, designed by Cepezed, is based on a U-shaped concept with a spacious atrium and an organizing central route. This route connects all floors and functions, starting at the entrance and ending at the roof garden on the third floor. The route is also connected to a city balcony that overlooks Amsterdam. This design offers logical orientation, clear organization and strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Human scale interior

ZENBER Architects designed the interior to perfectly match the architectural concept. Colourful accents, functional boxes, chandeliers and frames give the interior a human scale and clear structure. These elements not only improve functionality, but also make the large spaces inviting and recognisable.

1. Color accents: Warm colors (ochre and terra) are used in living spaces, while cool colors (olive and azure) define the study landscapes. These color zones provide orientation and enhance the functionality of the spaces.

2. Functional boxes: Three striking boxes (Foodbox, Expobox and Gamebox) add a playful and recognisable element to the atrium. They offer clear function zones and support navigation through the building.

3. Chandeliers: Large chandeliers, made from recycled petfelt, act as acoustic and visual eye-catchers. They bring atmosphere to the high spaces and enhance the human scale.

4. Frames and foils: In the study landscapes, colorful foils with Amsterdam patterns and frames provide defined study zones. These frames offer views, brainstorming opportunities and a pleasant atmosphere.

An open atrium lounge with round seats, a “Game” room with a yellow sign and glass walls, and striking cylindrical yellow decorations on the ceiling.
“Flexible zones encourage collaboration and focus.”
An intimate sitting area with a round black table, black chairs, and a yellow rug. Yellow ceiling decorations hang above the room, with a glass-walled conference room in the back.
A large multi-story atrium, wooden floors, and a central staircase. There are long tables and plants on the ground floor, and there are work and lounge areas on the upper floors.
A cozy sitting area with a yellow sofa, a black round table and a large glass wall. Modern buildings and planters are visible outside.

Green as a connecting element

Green elements, such as plants and moss walls, are strategically placed in the building. This greening guides the central route and connects interior spaces with the outside world. The green contributes to a healthy and inspiring learning environment.

Reuse of furniture

During the design, 95% of the existing furniture was reused, carefully sorted by color and supplemented with new furniture where necessary. This sustainable reuse contributes to Inholland's circular ambitions and creates a harmonious interior.

A bright space with comfortable seats, yellow accents and round tables. Large cylindrical decorations hang from the ceiling, and in the background are windows with urban views.
“Chandeliers combine scale, atmosphere and acoustics.”

Highlights

Sustainability

The building is almost energy neutral (BENG) and uses recycled and sustainable materials, such as petfelt and Cradle-to-Cradle furniture.

Flexibility and functionality

Colourful accents, boxes and frames create a functional, dynamic learning environment with clear orientation.

Green and health

Strategically placed green elements strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces and contribute to a healthy learning environment.

Re-use

95% of the existing furniture has been reused, which is in line with Inholland's circular vision.

Iconic chandeliers

Recycled chandeliers add visual and acoustic quality to the high spaces.

A glass “Game” room with a yellow sign and a lounge with chairs and tables inside. There is a light wooden floor in front of the room.

Credits

Team ZENBER
Eric Wezenberg
Ingrid Heijne
Giusy Mazzarella
Carlien den Uijl
Project managment
E&W Advisor
Akoestisch adviseur
Contractor

Interior builder
Brandsing Meubelmakers en Sant interiors
Light plan
Project photography
ZENBER Architecten
Building architect
Groenvoorziening
Projectinrichting
Graphic design
ZENBER Architecten
Huisvestingadviseur
Installation consultancy
Constructie adviseur
W&C Adviseur
Meubilair
Constructor
Building physics
View more
Innovative work in the iconic Westerlaantoren
Offices
Stolt-Nielsen