Creative interior design for Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences

Education is changing: traditional classes are giving way to hybrid teaching methods, collaborative learning and encounters. This also applies to the twelve healthcare programmes of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rochussenstraat. Time has come to update the interior of the healthcare campus accordingly. Together with Bossche Studios and KWK Housing Directors, we redesigned fifteen floors during the summer holidays.

UNIQUE AND CONSISTENT

Each floor of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences represents a different healthcare programme: from physiotherapy and nursing to obstetrics. Claartje ten Have, interior designer at Bossche Studios: 'On the one hand, the study programmes needed their own identity, but on the other hand we wanted to avoid creating a mishmash. Thus, we looked for a way to both differentiate and unify. On one floor we used Gispen NOMI Design chairs with yellow upholstery and on another floor we used the same chair with green upholstery, for example. We did the same with Gispen TEAM tables in various sizes and materials.'

RESPONDING TO MODERN EDUCATION

Education is increasingly focusing on collaborative learning and encounters. Claartje: 'A campus should be a place where students can study in a pleasant environment, collaborate on a project with fellow students and easily meet teachers. This is why we opted for meeting areas, study plazas and rooms for digital classes.'

'The use of dividers is crucial in open spaces. At the same time, the college wanted lots of greenery in the learning environment. The Gispen CIMO planters and JUNA coach seats are perfect for this end, and they are always occupied by students.' Contrarily, the Qabin Chat and Qabin Call booths offer a quiet space to work or hold meetings in.

CIRCULAR CHOICES

Product circularity was an important starting point for Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Gerard Soeteman – interim-(project)manager and housing director at KWK: 'A real challenge, as not all the required products were available at the Gispen Circular Hub.' Claartje: 'In the end, we reused as much furniture as we could. The reception area, for example, was still functional but outdated. We reused large elements from its interior and gave all the doors the same look by wrapping them with foils.'

Gispen's new products are designed in a circular way regardless. They have a long lifespan and can be endlessly repaired and reused. Our upholstery, for example, is easy to clean or replace.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE RESULT?

Gerard: 'We have achieved a great result in cooperation with Bossche Studios, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Gispen: we created a wide range of workspaces for students, teachers and staff. With hygienic furniture, appropriate to the various healthcare courses. The interior strikes a good balance between vibrancy and tranquillity.'

Claartje ten Have – interior designer at Bossche Studios

A word from the specialist

'The number of applications for the Nursing study programme rose significantly because of Covid-19. All of a sudden, the university had to expand considerably. We were actually supposed to furnish five floors, which turned into fifteen. This got our creative juices flowing: we turned the lift tower into a type of 'human body', with the ground floor being the feet and the fifteenth floor the head.

Hundreds of pieces of furniture had to be inventoried, reused or refurbished. A major operation, which ran smoothly thanks to KWK and Gispen. I am quite familiar with Gispen; I have enjoyed working with them for over 20 years. Working with housing directors Gerard Soeteman and Daisy Jonker was also a pleasure, even from a distance.'

‘THE WIDE RANGE OF WORKSPACES THAT WE CREATED PERFECTLY SUITS THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF’

Gerard Soeteman Interim (project) manager and housing director at KWK

portrait of klantfoto hogeschool rotterdam

Gerard Soeterman – Interim (project) manager and housing director at KWK

The client’s thoughts

'We were dealing with a tight deadline: within four to five weeks, hundreds of pieces of furniture had to be delivered and installed. An exciting but challenging process. It was therefore very important that Gispen's deliveries were well prepared and that agreements were met. We kept each other informed on a weekly basis and anticipated whenever things went differently than planned.

A previous renovation of one our other locations was overall a bit chaotic. However, with some extra attention, careful planning and full commitment from all those involved, we brought this second project to a success. Everyone was willing to help one another. A good combination of teamwork, congeniality and commitment.'