Architects:De Zwarte Hond

Area:11400m²

Year:2024

Photographs:Eva Bloem,De Zwarte Hond,Stijn Poelstra

Design Team:De Zwarte Hond

Collaborators:Aronsohn, Buro Bouwfysica, BWRI, KCAP, C2N, Fokkema & Partners Architecten, Harryvan, Nelissen Ingenieursbureau, New Horizon, and Pieters Bouwtechniek.

Client:Vastgoedbedrijf Universiteit Leiden

Main Contractor:Construction consortium Constructif/Kuijpers

City:Leiden

Country:The Netherlands

Text description provided by the architects. Commissioned by Leiden University, De Zwarte Hond has completed the circular renovation and extension of the former Cluster Zuid building of the Faculty of Humanities. Architect Joop van Stigt designed Cluster Zuid for the Faculty of Humanities of Leiden University in the late 1970s. This impressive example of structuralist architecture was re-inaugurated on 8 October as Herta Mohr. It now offers 11,400 m² of space, plus car parking, with more than 700 teaching spaces and self-study places, two lecture theatres, work and meeting rooms, and common rooms. The building also houses the libraries of Leiden's African Studies Centre and the Middle Eastern Studies program.

Better orientation and light boost unity - Cluster Zuid originally consisted of seven separate 'houses'. Orientation in the building was difficult: the two courtyards were very similar and the narrow alleyways made the interior spaces dark. In addition, the dark ceilings and small windows, some with wired glass, created a closed and gloomy atmosphere. To improve this, the central house was demolished and replaced by a new large central heart with lots of daylight. This makes it easier for visitors to better orient themselves from the central space, and the bright atrium creates a cohesive whole. New diagonal sightlines have been created from the existing houses to the heart. The second floor was completely renovated and an eighth house with an anodized aluminum façade was added on the Maliebaan side. Van Stigt's original design also included a house here, but it was never built.