University Institute in Amsterdam
The Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) at the University of Amsterdam is located in two 17th century canal houses. The Institute was recently founded and brings together young international scientists to develop new research methods and discuss them in an interdisciplinary manner. The two city centre buildings (A) were built in 1642 as identical twins but spatially modified soon after. Different owners and interventions left their mark and one of the facades was completely replaced at one point. The buildings have belonged to the university since the middle of last century. The IAS was looking for open-plan office space that allowed for exchange and communication in a flexible work environment. However this desire was in contradiction to the standard room layouts preferred by the administration to allow for future subletting. Unforeseeable surprises in terms of the historic fabric of the buildings further foiled many of the original plans: wooden beams infested by mould and dry rot forced a six-month freeze on construction.
