Amsterdam Science Park’s Faculty of Science Building is a Bright & Interactive Space

Faculty of Science Building C at the <a href="http://www.science.uva.nl/english/home.cfm" target="_blank">University of Amsterdam</a> houses an extensive complex of teaching areas, general facilities, offices, and laboratories and forms the heart of the <a href="http://www.science.uva.nl/english/object.cfm/objectid=CE5828DF-4100-4864-A3E7DF4FE8E64FBC" target="_blank">Amsterdam Science Park</a>. Designed by <a href="http://www.uytenhaak.nl/" target="_blank">Rudy Uytenhaak</a>, with help from a number of other firms, the naturally daylit space is vital to the interaction of the faculty and students at the university. Raised up on polder strips or posts, a large open public space helps connect the building with the surrounding park. Flexibility in space, energy efficient systems, and sustainable materials help the facility to be more environmentally friendly.

Building C is part of a larger project for the Faculty of Science and included the construction of buildings A, B and D, which mainly provide space for laboratories.

The entire project was the result of a collaboration between <a href="http://www.ahh.nl/index_en.html" target="_blank">Architecture Studio HH</a> (section A and renovation of buildings), <a href="http://www.meyer-vanschooten.nl/" target="_blank">Meyer and Van Schooten Architects</a> (section B) and <a href="http://www.uytenhaak.nl/" target="_blank">Rudy Uytenhaak Architecture</a> (sections C and D) with the help of Marco Romano.

Building C connects the other facilities together, provides office and meeting space and has the goal of helping faculty, professors and students interact with one another.

Built up on stilts, the 34,000 sq. meter facility provides a sheltered park for rest, relaxation or impromptu meetings.

Inside, daylight is the pervasive theme throughout the space, filtering in through skylights and atrium.

A variety of communal areas have been designed to accommodate a wide range of group types and collaboration scenarios.

White materials and finishes help bounce light further into the space, while natural materials like <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/bamboo">bamboo</a> has been used for the cabinets, desks and meeting tables.

The building is heated and cooled with the help of concrete core activation (under-floor heating and cooling) along with in combination with underground heat and cold storage.

Flexible office and room layouts ensure the building can accommodate a wide range of uses now and in the future.

One of many different types of meeting room areas.

Ground floor plan.

Second floor plan.

Site plan of Building C with respect to the Amsterdam Science Park.