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UvA REC P
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architecture
transformation
education
workspaces
mixed-use
1/3
location
Plantage Muidergracht,
Amsterdam
client
University of Amsterdam
project team
Maarten Sanders, Anouk Dekker, Yves Sellam, Roos Meeder, Michael Hoogland & Ernst-Jan Schoute
photography
Monique Kooijmans
completion
2023
renovation and adaptation of university building
The former Chemisch Practicum building on the Plantage Muidergracht in Amsterdam was built in the early '60s and was designed by architect Kees van der Wilk from the Public Works Department of the municipality. It is a sober, “cubist” building and has been modified many times over the years. A series of major renovations took place on the inside, with the laboratory function being replaced by teaching rooms and offices as early as the 1980s. The University of Amsterdam decided to retain the building as part of the campus and commissioned OIII to draw up a plan for the renovation and modification. The building would partly have an educational function and partly an office function.
healthy and energy efficient
In order to achieve flexibility with regard to future use, a climate control system with a large capacity was integrated into the design. The need to create space for the integration of the climate control system was decisive for the spatial organization of the building. In addition, the quality of the facades and roofs had to be improved enormously in order to limit energy loss. The necessary improvement of the facades was used to restore the original architectural appearance and at the same time raise the construction qualities of the facades and roofs to a higher level. In many respects, the building regained its original élan, including the “brutalist” appearance that gave the building such a characteristic, honest appearance. The interior was designed by aiscube studio.
circular
An important ambition of the project was to use material that had also been “harvested” in the building where possible. A plan of approach was formulated and implemented in the preliminary phase, which resulted in creative ideas being found with great dedication and in collaboration with all parties involved to give shape to this ambition. This not only involved limiting waste flows, but also making this reuse visible so that the building also got a story that went beyond just an “upgrade”.
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