A woman sits with a laptop in a bright yellow, stair-like seat. In the background, you can see a corridor with a mural of a tree.

Collaborate and meet

Education
Client
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Year
2019
Location
Amsterdam
BVO
2.900m2
Klant
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Jaar
2019
Locatie
Amsterdam
BVO
2.900m2

The task

The University of Applied Sciences of Amsterdam (HvA) wanted to create centrally located meeting spaces for the Faculty of Society and Law. The assignment for ZENBER Architects was to design dynamic, multifunctional zones where students and teachers can collaborate informally and engage in dialogue. These mixed zones had to be in line with the HvA's educational vision and radiate a social identity that matches the courses and the faculty.

A corridor with a wall in blue and white abstract shapes. A person walks by, caught in motion out of focus.
A long yellow wall with a quote from Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody needs wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” People move through the corridor.
44.000
Students
4800
Staff
100+
HBO courses
A green wall with a quote by Eberhard van der Laan: “Alone you are faster, together you get further,” in white and red letters.
“Mixed zones that bring learning, work and relaxation together.”
An open space with a woman sitting at a wooden table, surrounded by a mural of mountains and woods. In the background, a person walks through the corridor, where plants and seats are visible.
A study area with individual wooden workstations, separated by blue dividing panels. Large windows overlooking a city on the left and a yellow wall on the right.
A cozy common area with a tall table and wooden stools. Plants and wooden ceiling details create a warm atmosphere. Seats and working people are visible in the background.

About this project

The mixed zones were designed for the Faculty of Society and Law, housed in the Muller-Lulofshuis and the Wibauthuis. They offer space for around 7,500 students and 375 staff from courses such as Applied Psychology, Social Work, Public Administration, HBO Law and Social Legal Services.

Dynamic and multi-functional zones

The central meeting places invite you to work together, meet and relax. The interior consists of high and low (standing) tables, grandstand benches and active and chill-out zones. Tribune benches not only serve as a meeting place, but also as a place for presentations. At the edges of these dynamic zones, there are quiet workplaces and concentration zones for individual work.

Workshops with a toolbox

In interactive workshops with students, teachers, and staff, ZENBER collected specific information about educational processes and users' needs. At the same time, users were informed about how to use the new device. This approach resulted in a design that seamlessly matches the needs of the AUAS and the identity of the courses.

A space with a turquoise stair-shaped seat, where a woman sits with her phone. The wall has a painting of mountains and trees. In the back, people work at a table.
“A social identity that reinforces the faculty.”

Highlights

Central meeting places

Dynamic and multifunctional zones with co-working spaces, grandstand benches and chill-out zones.

Faculty of Society and Law

Meeting rooms for 7,500 students and 375 employees, in line with the social involvement of the courses.

Customization

Graphic elements, quotes and unique hanging lights made from recycled materials reinforce the faculty's social identity.

Supporting learning communities

Flexible zones for collaborating, presenting, relaxing and focused work.

Workshops with users

Design based on input from interactive sessions with students, teachers, and staff.

A study area with wooden tables and grey dividing panels. On the wall is a quote from Emily Dickinson: “The brain is wider than the sky.” Students are working on laptops.

Credits

Team ZENBER
Eric Wezenberg
Ingrid Heijne
Helma Teernstra
 Project management
E&W Advisor
Acoustic consultant
Contractor
Vios Bouw Amsterdam
Interior builder
Inter-Fact
Licht plan
ZENBER Architecten
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
A future-proof building for Inholland
Education
Inholland University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam
A woman sits with a laptop in a bright yellow, stair-like seat. In the background, you can see a corridor with a mural of a tree.A corridor with a wall in blue and white abstract shapes. A person walks by, caught in motion out of focus.

Collaborate and meet

Education
Client
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Year
2019
Location
Amsterdam
BVO
2.900m2
Client
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Year
2019
Location
Amsterdam
BVO
2.900m2

The task

The University of Applied Sciences of Amsterdam (HvA) wanted to create centrally located meeting spaces for the Faculty of Society and Law. The assignment for ZENBER Architects was to design dynamic, multifunctional zones where students and teachers can collaborate informally and engage in dialogue. These mixed zones had to be in line with the HvA's educational vision and radiate a social identity that matches the courses and the faculty.

A corridor with a wall in blue and white abstract shapes. A person walks by, caught in motion out of focus.
A long yellow wall with a quote from Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody needs wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” People move through the corridor.
44.000
Students
4800
Staff
100+
HBO courses

About this projct

The mixed zones were designed for the Faculty of Society and Law, housed in the Muller-Lulofshuis and the Wibauthuis. They offer space for around 7,500 students and 375 staff from courses such as Applied Psychology, Social Work, Public Administration, HBO Law and Social Legal Services.

Dynamic and multi-functional zones

The central meeting places invite you to work together, meet and relax. The interior consists of high and low (standing) tables, grandstand benches and active and chill-out zones. Tribune benches not only serve as a meeting place, but also as a place for presentations. At the edges of these dynamic zones, there are quiet workplaces and concentration zones for individual work.

Workshops with a toolbox

In interactive workshops with students, teachers, and staff, ZENBER collected specific information about educational processes and users' needs. At the same time, users were informed about how to use the new device. This approach resulted in a design that seamlessly matches the needs of the AUAS and the identity of the courses.

A green wall with a quote by Eberhard van der Laan: “Alone you are faster, together you get further,” in white and red letters.
“Mixed zones that bring learning, work and relaxation together.”
An open space with a woman sitting at a wooden table, surrounded by a mural of mountains and woods. In the background, a person walks through the corridor, where plants and seats are visible.
A study area with individual wooden workstations, separated by blue dividing panels. Large windows overlooking a city on the left and a yellow wall on the right.
A cozy common area with a tall table and wooden stools. Plants and wooden ceiling details create a warm atmosphere. Seats and working people are visible in the background.

A social identity

The mixed zones reflect the social involvement of the courses. Graphic elements and quotes on walls and windows bring the identity of the courses to life. The atmosphere is enhanced by the use of natural materials, colors and plants. Especially for the HvA, ZENBER designed unique hanging lights made from recycled workwear, made by people with a distance from the labor market.

Learning communities

The mixed zones support working in learning communities, an important part of the AUAS's educational vision. They offer a combination of collaborative workplaces, informal meeting spaces and quiet areas, allowing students and teachers to work in an inspiring environment that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing.

A space with a turquoise stair-shaped seat, where a woman sits with her phone. The wall has a painting of mountains and trees. In the back, people work at a table.
“A social identity that reinforces the faculty.”

Highlights

Central meeting places

Dynamic and multifunctional zones with co-working spaces, grandstand benches and chill-out zones.

Faculty of Society and Law

Meeting rooms for 7,500 students and 375 employees, in line with the social involvement of the courses.

Customization

Graphic elements, quotes and unique hanging lights made from recycled materials reinforce the faculty's social identity.

Supporting learning communities

Flexible zones for collaborating, presenting, relaxing and focused work.

Workshops with users

Design based on input from interactive sessions with students, teachers, and staff.

A study area with wooden tables and grey dividing panels. On the wall is a quote from Emily Dickinson: “The brain is wider than the sky.” Students are working on laptops.

Credits

Team ZENBER
Eric Wezenberg
Ingrid Heijne
Helma Teernstra
Project managment
E&W Advisor
Akoestisch adviseur
Contractor

Vios Bouw Amsterdam
Interior builder
Inter-Fact
Light plan
ZENBER Architecten
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
A future-proof building for Inholland
Education
Inholland University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam