Hogeschool Rotterdam Business School

Location：Rotterdam, Netherlands; | ;View Map

Project Year：2023

Category：Universities

Inspiring Home Base

The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences Business School has a new home base. The energy-neutral building, designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects, is sustainable and future-proof.

Studio Groen+Schild designed the interior. The aim of the interior was to create a pleasant and stimulating educational environment where the business leaders and economists of the future are trained.

Bridge between Faculty and Society

The new building, covering an area of 14,000 m2, accommodates all economic programs of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences Business School. A prominent feature of the architecture is the impressive wooden cascade staircase, prominently visible behind the transparent façade. The staircase serves as the connection within the building and is located in a large atrium. Project spaces and work areas are situated around the atrium. Study squares in the atrium and on the floors provide students with opportunities for relaxation and interaction. The functions on the ground floor, especially the Grand Café and the Media Library, facilitate interaction among students, faculty, and the business community. The interior serves as a link between the faculty and society, contributing to shaping the Business School community.

Showcases

The Grand Café, the media library, and the workshop rooms are the faculty’s calling cards. We have designed them as the showcases of the interior, distinctive and expressive. The Grand Café, located at the corner of the building and accessible from the outside, is double-height and furnished with several large objects. The bar is a true centerpiece. Warm color usage, mirrored strips, diversity in lighting, and a brass frame with glass and plants above the bar create a pleasant hospitality atmosphere. The Media Library is located directly next to the entrance. This space is also double-height. The floor is light, and all cabinets are constructed from wooden stands, are visible from the outside. The loose furniture can be positioned in various arrangements. Both classroom teaching and group work can take place here.

Flexible and Future-Proof

Education has undergone significant changes in recent years and will undoubtedly evolve in the future due to new developments, such as AI. New technologies call for new educational concepts, new study programs, and different collaborations. This requires different spaces, larger, smaller, it is still unpredictable. Therefore, the building and the interior have been designed to be extremely flexible. Layouts can be changed, and different furniture arrangements can facilitate new forms of education.

Identity

The Rotterdam Business School (RBS) and the Sports Marketing and Management (SMM) program together form one community but also have their own distinctiveness. We have translated the identities of the programs together with the students and staff into colors, patterns, and a genuine wall of fame. Here, program-specific elements can be displayed, such as photos of sports heroes in Sports Marketing and photos of companies collaborated with at the Business School. The identity is reflected in carpets with distinct patterns and colors. Circles and spheres represent Connect & Activate. At RBS, in blue and camel, business-like, and at SMM, in blue and green, focusing on sports. At RBS, chairs made from recycled suits are used, while at MMS, tabletops are made from reused sports floors. Local color per program.

Sustainable and Healthy

The new building is energy-neutral. The visible solar panels on the roof of the atrium contribute to energy generation. Much attention has been paid to fresh air and pleasant room acoustics. The interior is designed for reusability, separate from the structure. This extends the lifespan of materials and reduces the need for new raw materials. Preferably, biobased materials have been used in the design. This contributes to reducing our ecological footprint and a sustainable future. The use of wood and natural greenery promotes a healthy indoor environment and a pleasant and stimulating educational atmosphere.

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