Fontys R13, Campus Rachelsmolen, Eindhoven

“As part of the Fontys Campus, the R13 building has a dual function. It serves as the campus’s prominent showcase and a vital link between the campus and the city, as it is the main entry point for visitors. The Nudus design concept draws inspiration from this intriguing contextual condition.

Nudus has designed an interesting interplay of volumes for R13, R12 and R11, with the aim of actively engaging the campus users. When it comes to R13: “an eye-catching single-storey segment intersects the building perpendicularly, lending a human scale to the design. Oriented towards one of Eindhoven’s major entrance roads, R13 highlights the ‘Explorelab’ and doubles as the primary entrance serving both city and campus. The element also incorporates lush greenery and tiered seating, linking the campus landscape with the building’s interior, and as a result making a striking impact on the campus environment.

Within the building, a welcoming atmosphere is created by a spacious wooden atrium flooded with natural light. This wooden heart connects both atria, encouraging social interaction across floors. The home bases for the 5 different studies are located around the heart on different floors and each has its own recognisable colour. These intimate home bases reflect the engagement between students and teachers, ensuring a sense of belonging and ease for all occupants. A social hart!”

To realise the desired appearance of the social heart, QbiQ was asked early on in the design process to help think about the most optimal design of the glass walls around the heart. The building was not sprinklered, the storey height was 3.20 metres and of course: the walls to the atrium were fall-through resistant and also fire-resistant for 60 minutes to meet the requirements. The partition system iQ PROTECT Fire Hightech Safe was therefore used. The legal requirements are being met and, because of the 33 mm lines of the profiles, the system fits seamlessly with the other (non-fire-resistant) partitions in the Fontys Campus buildings.

Nominated for school building of the year

Video

Have a look at the video with partner – architect Tim Brans of Nudus: