Generic Education Building TU Delft

The Kluyverpark is the area where the TU Delft campus will expand in the coming years. A green environment where education and technology companies come together. A new section of the campus will be built, with education and research buildings for students and researchers from TU Delft. The new Generic Education Building, known as ‘GO Zuid’ will be the functional and social centre of this, with education and study facilities for the various faculties. A recognisable heart. EGM made a study for the new educational building.

In essence this building a place where students love to be, for lectures, study, and meeting. A place where teachers, researchers, and staff meet each other. But also a building that in all its facets is radical in the CO₂ objectives of TU Delft: not just 'neutral', this building stores CO₂, will generate energy for energy-intensive laboratories and research facilities in the area, and will therefore be CO₂-negative.

The main volume of the building rises along the green corridor, harmoniously integrated into the natural environment. A central sheltered outdoor space with a prominent overhang invites people to stay and enjoy the greenery, with a sheltered walkway that seamlessly connects various buildings from the Kluyverpark as a 'green corridor', which further emphasises the 'hub function' of GO Zuid.

The canopy around the building provides protection from sun and rain, and creates a new, sheltered microclimate for people, plants, and animals, partly thanks to the biophilic design. Along the waterfront, with the characteristic tree line preserved, a pleasant place to enjoy coffee or lunch between breaks is created. Thus, GO Zuid becomes not only a centre of knowledge, but also an oasis of nature and peacefulness.

Flexible and versatile

GO Zuid should be a place where education, study, and leisure seamlessly merge. Upon entering, it is immediately clear where you need to be, thanks to a striking central staircase. The rooms are arranged from 'noisy to peaceful', with informal meeting places at the main entrance and study rooms with views of nature along the waterfront. Classrooms, where concentration is required, are placed on the enclosed side. GO Zuid should also be flexible, adapted to the changing needs of education. Large spaces must be divisible, while maintaining optimal daylight and acoustics. The educational spaces are designed with an eye for adaptability and personalization.

Construction

In the construction of the building, sustainability and flexibility are the leading principles. A wooden load-bearing structure is chosen due to its favourable environmental performance and a climate-positive building, which is also modular and demountable. The use of steel and concrete is only used where necessary or for the benefit of a more efficient (less material) construction. Steel is used where wood cannot handle the high tensile strength.

Optimal parametric design

The building design combines functionality with sustainability. The exterior minimizes energy loss and maximizes energy generation with PV panels. Parametric design regulates the position of sun protection elements for optimal protection against solar radiation. The expression of the facade serves the function and emphasizes CO₂-neutral construction. Inside the building, a series of atmospheres are created, from noisy to quiet, with attention to daylight and plenty of unobstructed views. Personalization and the use of natural materials, such as the visible wooden structure, give the interior a warm and inviting appearance.

Efficient and sustainable

The ambition for GO Zuid is to create a sustainable, healthy, and circular building. Efficient use of space, compact design, and PV panels on the roof ensure energy efficiency. High-quality insulation and airtightness are used to meet BENG requirements. The use of circular concrete and the reuse of materials contribute to sustainability.

For such a generic education building, the emphasis on comfort, health, and energy efficiency is of paramount importance. Flexible and circular installations are optimally embedded in the construction, using SMART building systems. Modular, detachable construction with CO₂-neutral, bio-based, locally sourced, and where possible reused materials, and with future reuse in mind.

Sustainability is also expressed in terms of management and maintenance, with a focus on lifespan, residual value, and cost minimization. A robust design and cleanability are sought, while SMART building systems are used for efficient management.

Healthy education building

We design educational buildings with great attention to air, daylight, comfort, and movement. Daylight and air quality are priorities, while acoustic performance is optimized. It promises to become not only a beacon of knowledge and learning