Rust was once symbolic of decline: rusting buildings spoke of industrial decline, and rusty memories a decline in mental faculties. But this symbolism has been overturned, or perhaps just ignored, by Mecanoo architecten who designed this building for Amsterdam University College.
Fortunate students on the liberal arts and sciences programmes at the university now have a new building to in which to study and relax. It is also designed to act as a recognizable gateway to Science Park, the international knowledge centre. The university hopes that it will also inspire students and staff to be creative.
The cor-ten steel clad building provides 6,000sqm of accommodation including a restaurant, common room and study. It has a sedum and moss roof that attenuates water flow and provides insulation. It also uses other technologies to improve environmental sustainability such as thermal energy storage, and concrete core activation.
Already the building has become something of the poster girl for the university.
