A.A. Hijmans van den Bergh Medical Faculty
Erick van Egeraat
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Photo: Christian
RichtersWinner of the 2007 biannual Dutch
Rietveldprize, named after the famous "De Stijl"
architect. The new faculty building is located on the
University campus "De Uithof" forming the corner to the existing
Academic Hospital of Utrecht.
An independent identity within the complex, but also part of the
University campus, the new building volume seeks to strengthen the
existing entrance area of the hospital complex.
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
The building contains three distinct functions; classrooms,
individual study landscapes, and a restaurant. The heart of the
building features three cone-shaped glass structures that intersect
the entire building and act as giant light wells. Consequently,
indirect sunlight enters deep into building allowing the user to
experience the "outside" from a variety of positions within the
building.
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
The structures are visible throughout and connect the public
spaces on the two lower levels with the educational facilities on
the three upper levels. This provides an open and transparent
unity.
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
The cones integrate the loadbearing structure and serve as large
ventilation shafts. The crystal glass shapes thus form a technical
backbone as well as the atmospherical heart of the building.
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
In both the office and education areas, flexible work
environments are provided where different teaching scenarios can
occur such as classical lectures,
group work, and individual research.
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
Photo: Christian Richters
Combining a rationalised and orthogonal structure with specific
shapes and open areas met the client's expectation of a modest,
though enriched environment with an inspiring identity.
A special hybrid-heating concept was developed for the
ABC-Education Facility in Utrecht, in which the architectural
layout of the building was fully utilised to develop the heating
concept. Natural ventilation is used throughout the building.
The University of Utrecht commissioned the Urban Masterplan by
O.M.A. (Art Zaayer) in 1995, and has since invited several well
known Dutch architects to contribute to the University
campus.
For this latest extension named after Abraham Albert Hijmans van
den Bergh, a pioneer in biomedicine, the University sought a more
modest building to make optimal use of the deep site
available.
Drawing courtesy Erick van
Egeraat
Drawing courtesy Erick van
Egeraat
Drawing courtesy Erick van
Egeraat 
Drawing courtesy Erick van
Egeraat 
Drawing courtesy Erick van
Egeraat
Facts about A.A. Hijmans van den Bergh Medical Faculty
Gross surface area:
14,500 m2
Architect:
Erick van Egeraat
Ulf Hackauf
Joris Lüchinger
Project leader:
Cock Peterse
Associates:
Monica Adams
Massimo Bertolano
Project team:
Rowan van Wely
Taro Yoshikawa Ann-
Christin Hillebrand
Kristjan Kaltenbach
Julia Hausmann
Paul Blonk
Jesse Treurniet
Ronald Ubels
Léon Wielaard
Project Manager:
Universiteit Utrecht
Aryan Sikkema
Wim Bouwhuizen
Structural engineer:
ABT-C Adviesbureau voor Bouwtechniek
Mechanical services engineer:
Halmos B.V.
Electrical services engineer:
Halmos B.V.
Quanity surveyor:
Dukers & de Cock, Eindhoven
Urban planner:
EEA
Landscape architect:
EEA
Interior architect:
EE
Client:
Universiteit Utrecht afdeling bouw
Photographed by Christian Richters (Artur)
Last updated: December 07, 2012
