Amsterdam University College Building, Watergraafsmeer Architecture, Dutch Further Edcuation Design

Amsterdam University College Building

AUC Higher Education Development in The Netherlands design by Mecanoo architecten, Holland

22 Apr 2013

Amsterdam University College Building Award

Amsterdam University College wins the Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2013

Design: Mecanoo architecten

Delft, 22 April 2013 – The Amsterdam University College wins the Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2013 (Golden A.A.P.). The prestigious AUC accommodates the joint liberal arts and sciences programme of the University of Amsterdam and the VU University Amsterdam. The striking 6,000 m² educational building was designed by Mecanoo in Delft, the Netherlands.

photograph : Christian Richters

The jury saw the Amsterdam University College in the Science Park as a building with two faces, which on closer inspection were found to be complementary. “The exterior primarily aroused expectations, raised questions.

Inside, the jury members were struck by the harmonious way in which large and small spaces together formed a whole, while each component, right down to the details, had a clear (and valuable) identity of its own. Zoning, colour and acoustics contribute, both individually and together, to the reserved ambience, which would appear to be ideal for a student population with an above average promise for the future.”

pictures : Christian Richters

The AUC combines an intensive programme of studies with the cultural and social life of a campus. Francine Houben explains: “AUC was designed as an inspiring home for the community of international students and their professors. It’s a friendly but robust home with a spacious loft on top.”

By positioning the tilting roofs diagonally, in a north-south direction, the sense of being in a loft is strengthened. Large voids form the heart of the building and create a visual relationship between the different floors. A staircase winds through the voids, symbolising a sense of community for its users.

With the annual Amsterdam Architecture Prize, ARCAM (Amsterdam Centre for Architecture) turns the spotlight on the best buildings built in Amsterdam each year. The prize is for the architect who designed and the client who commissioned the building built in Amsterdam in 2012 that has been deemed the most beautiful of all the buildings, or the most exemplary of the current situation, or the most daring and innovative, or ideally: all of these together.

16 Jan 2013

AUC Building News

AUC nominated for Amsterdam Architecture Prize

Delft, 16 January 2013 – ARCAM architecture centre has nominated AUC for the 2013 Amsterdam Architecture Prize (Golden A.A.P.).

The Golden A.A.P. prize is awarded annually to the architect and client who produced the best architectural project in Amsterdam, given a completion date in the previous year. The winner will be announced in April 2013.

21 Sep 2012