In the middle of campus Woudestein stands the Tinbergen Building. It is a municipal monument that has been in use since 1968. Now that most of Tinbergen Building's technical installations are past their useful life and no longer comply with current legislation, for example in terms of working conditions and energy consumption, it is time to renovate this striking building.
News
Focus on sustainability
Erasmus University Rotterdam aims to be one of the most sustainable universities in The Netherlands. The renovation of Tinbergen Building is an important part of improving the sustainability of campus Woudestein.
Every renovation is an opportunity to become more sustainable. The renovation of Tinbergen Building seizes this opportunity with both hands: the renovation ensures a more efficient use of energy through the use of double glazing, solar panels, energy-efficient installations, natural ventilation and sustainable materials.
BREEAM design certificate
The Tinbergen project has achieved the BREEAM design certificate 'Outstanding'. This certificate represents our commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly construction and is an internationally recognized rating. It assesses how environmentally friendly and energy efficient a building design is, based on criteria such as: energy consumption, water management, materials and health. The certificate has several levels. From 'Pass' to 'Outstanding,' with the latter also being the highest rating. With the Tinbergen project, we are taking an important step towards a sustainable and future-proof university.
Study areas, workplaces and catering from mid-2027
With the new design by architectural firm Cepezed from Delft, the building will house modern office and education facilities, plenty of good study places and catering facilities. It will be a pleasant place for students and staff as well as guests of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
In mid-2027, Tinbergen will (re)open its doors. Then students and staff can again make the best use of the facilities in teaching and doing research.
Impressions
Ellen van Schoten
"Step by step, our campus is becoming more sustainable and future-proof. When renovating Tinbergen Building, we will switch to insulated glazing, install solar panels and use sustainable materials. This will allow us to save a lot of energy in this building too."
College van Bestuur
Frequently asked questions
General
Tinbergen Building is in urgent need of renovation. The technical installations had exceeded their service life and no longer complied with regulations. Furthermore, the building's layout no longer met modern requirements for teaching and research, as it consisted largely of smaller office spaces, whereas there is a need for flexible spaces.
The renovation is part of EUR's strategy to improve the quality of education and research. The building will offer modern study spaces and lecture theatres. The outdated facilities will be replaced by new, high-quality study and work spaces equipped with the latest audiovisual technology and a stimulating environment featuring plenty of plants and trees, both indoors and outdoors, to create a healthy working environment.
In addition, a glass extension will be added to the building, featuring spaces and a restaurant with views of the Rotterdam skyline. This addition meets the need for spaces on campus suitable for executive programmes, workshops and masterclasses. With the extension, there will no longer be a need to hire such spaces elsewhere in the city.
Tinbergen Building, which opened in 1968, is a unique building that forms part of the identity of both Erasmus University and the city of Rotterdam. The building was designed by architect Cornelis Elffers and dates from the final phase of what is known as the Rotterdam reconstruction. It still exudes the atmosphere of brutalist functionalism, an architectural movement known for its raw aesthetic: something that suits Rotterdam very well. It is no coincidence that the building has been designated a municipal monument. The Tinbergen Building was one of the university’s first buildings. The building therefore has a rich history full of special moments, evoking memories for generations of students, academics and staff.
We are creating a pleasant and stimulating environment within the building for working and studying. The building will offer modern study spaces and teaching rooms. The outdated facilities will be replaced by new, high-quality study and work spaces equipped with the latest audiovisual technology, alongside a stimulating environment featuring plenty of plants and trees, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure a pleasant and healthy working environment.
In addition, a glass extension will be added to the building, featuring spaces and a restaurant with views of the Rotterdam skyline. This addition meets the need for spaces on campus suitable for executive programmes, workshops and masterclasses. With the extension, there will no longer be a need to hire such spaces elsewhere in the city.
We are doing our best to minimise disruption to students and staff as much as possible, but certain works may cause some noise or vibration. We aim to give advance notice of disruptive works via MyEUR and, where possible, schedule them at times when there are no lectures or exams taking place. We have a so-called disruption schedule in place with the contractor, which sets out the times during the renovation when disruption may occur. Based on this schedule, we assess on a case-by-case basis what additional measures are needed to reduce or prevent disruption. This could include, for example, moving lectures or exams to other buildings on campus.
The lower six floors will house lecture theatres and study areas. The remaining floors will accommodate offices for various tenants. As the main tenant – just as it was before the building closed – the Erasmus School of Economics will have access to several floors. The top two floors will feature lecture theatres and a restaurant offering views across the whole of Rotterdam.
Curious about the new interior? Take a look at the photo album with impressions above.
The renovated Tinbergen Building is scheduled to open its doors in 2027.
Erasmus University Rotterdam aims to become one of the most sustainable universities in the Netherlands. Sustainability is therefore a key consideration during the construction process as well. For example, waste is reused wherever possible, or else minimised and sorted. Energy-efficient lighting is also being used during the construction work.
The climate crisis and ecological emergency make sustainable practices more important than ever. Erasmus University therefore aims to be one of the most sustainable universities in the Netherlands. The renovation of the Tinbergen Building is a key part of making the Woudestein campus more sustainable. For example, the renovated building will feature energy-efficient lift systems, solar panels on the roof and water-saving toilets. The insulation of the façade, floors and roof will also be improved, and sustainable materials such as FSC-certified timber will be used.
Erasmus University Rotterdam believes it is important that students, staff and visitors with reduced mobility – such as those with a visual impairment or in a wheelchair, but also those who have recently had knee surgery – have the same level of access to the campus and buildings as everyone else. That is why we are taking this into account in the renovation of the Tinbergen Building.
Moving trees
Yes, new trees will be planted on Institutenlaan following the renovation.
About 20 trees have been moved to another location on campus. All the healthy trees have been relocated to the area between the Sports Building and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.
Absolutely. Among other things, a bat management plan has been drawn up to ensure that the renovation does not have a negative impact on the bat population in and around the building. In addition, at the start of the project, a temporary bridge was constructed over the pond near the University Library, so that we did not have to relocate the animals and vegetation in the pond to another part of the campus.
Award
Berghege-Heerkens bouwgroep is undertaking the renovation of the Tinbergen Building.
Price and quality were the main criteria in awarding the contract to the contractor. Quality encompasses aspects such as the project plan, experience, sustainability and the risk analysis.
Building plans
There was no damage to the building; the renovation of Tinbergen will not be delayed as a result of the incident.
Noise and vibration disturbances may occur during the construction work. We aim to keep these disturbances to a minimum by scheduling work that causes disruption as far as possible at times when no lectures are being held.
The contractor has drawn up a so-called disturbance schedule, which indicates at which times during the renovation work disturbances may occur. Based on this schedule, we will determine what additional measures are needed to reduce the disruption. These might include, for example, giving advance notice to work from home or moving lectures or exams to other buildings on campus.
The plan is for the renovated Tinbergen Building to reopen its doors after the summer holidays in 2027.
Questions?
- Email address
- tomorrowscampus@eur.nl
For press
- Email address
- press@eur.nl