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Campus Development null

Green light for design of the public space at Matrix1 and Lab42

11 May 2021

In early February, the municipality of Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA) adopted the final design for the public space at Matrix1 and Lab42. This will be a meeting place with plenty of space for greenery and seating. A temporary space will be created near the southwestern plot, including wooden benches by the sustainable company Stadshout. The development of the area will start in spring 2022.
Artist impression of design public space

This project concerns the public space around and between the Matrix1 and Lab42 buildings. Important starting points for the design included plenty of space to sit, lots of greenery, a natural feeling of connection between the buildings and a design that invites interaction. Various future users of the area, including faculties and sports centres (the Faculty of Science, the University Sports Centre and Matrix IC) contributed ideas on what the public space at this location needs in order to satisfy these starting points.

Ideas: water points, picnic benches

The input from local stakeholders produced many useful ideas. We have included these in the final design where possible. These include practical elements such as two water points, a lighting plan, loading and unloading points and foundations under parts of the grass to make window cleaning possible. There are also some great ideas about how to use the space. One example of this is the plan to provide one of the sections in the design with both a paved area and a few individual picnic benches. This would allow the space to be used flexibly, for example for a game of boules or a small-scale meeting.
 

Planting plan

We also drew up a planting plan. The plan consists of a range of plant species that will provide an attractive, natural look and feel in all seasons. The structures and colours have been coordinated and we have tried to achieve a composition that can be managed sustainably and will benefit biodiversity in the area.
 

Range of wooden benches

For the southwestern plot of the building site, we have included a temporary layout in the design. This will be a section of grass with plenty of room to sit. The grass can also be partially sown with flowers. There will also be a range of wooden benches and chairs by Stadshout, among other things. These are made of Amsterdam poplar wood from trees felled in the area. This space will offer scope for temporary programming.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact project manager Marije van den Berg at marije.van.den.berg@amsterdam.nl.