Archinect
Wiel Arets Architects

Wiel Arets Architects

Amsterdam, NL | Maastricht, NL | Zürich, CH | Munich, DE

anchor

WAA complete the programmed tarmac of Campus Hoogvliet

By WielAretsArchitects
Jun 30, '14 9:13 AM EST

Campus Hoogvliet is located on the edge of Rotterdam; it is the new home of multiple educational institutions that support their students' aspirations. Completed earlier this year, the campus is now fully in use by students, faculty, and administrators. Submersed within an abundance of leafy residential streets–most of which are aligned with housing constructed in the 1950s–the campus has reactivated this former village by infusing it with a vibrant symbiosis of modernity and youth. The campus' six buildings echo the structural language of the existing residential buildings they abut, while innovating their material composition. The programmed tarmac is the 'carpet' on which these six buildings stand, outfit with custom designed seating, a running track, bike parking, and numerous areas for play.

The fenestration on every floor of each building is fritted with an abstracted image of ivy leaves. And all exterior glass was made with a kiss print; it introduces texture to each façade. Surrounding every building is a white ring, on the programmed tarmac, which denotes the transition from the campus' public space to each building's private terrace. Parking for 200 aligns with and compliments the campus’ boundary, in order to create a semi-bucolic character throughout this highly urban academic area. Occupying the southeastern edge of the site is the campus' largest building, which is for sports and sporting events; its indoor tribune seats 300. An outdoor basketball court occupies the roof of the sports building's ground floor. Perpendicular to a monumental staircase that overlooks the campus, this basketball court contributes to the campus' infectious dynamism. 

Dotting the private terraces are custom-designed terrazzo seating, and Japanese Maples set in custom-designed black terrazzo planters. Together, they create moments of rest within the campus' high energy atmosphere, which offers to inhabitants outdoor space to converse and congregate within, while still being afforded the privacy that the glass-fenced terraces provide. Similar to the spiralling current of a whirlpool, the programmed tarmac directs the energy of the campus’ users inward during study periods, while during non-study periods, this current reverses, as the campus’ users radiate their energy outward to reconnect with their surrounding community. The entirety of the programmed tarmac–which shepherds and organizes–and every private terrace, are illuminated at night, which further imparts cohesiveness within the once historic village of Hoogvliet.

Read more about Campus Hoogvliet