Newsletter 16

Now that the new building is almost finished, we will focus on the interior. We start with the design of the common areas by architect Paulien Bremmer of Studio Fedlev, and the wood workshop by workshop manager Stephanie ter Heide. We then provide information about the schedule for the internal move, and we conclude with progress on the redevelopment of the outdoor area.

Progress on the new building became slightly delayed, but the works continued over the Christmas vacation so that we could catch up as much as possible. Completion is now planned for 28 March. The cladding panels will be delivered later and are expected in May.

Paulien Bremmer, Studio Fedlev: ‘The interior, including the outdoor space, has been designed as a landscape. The spaces flow smoothly into one another, without corridors. The varied use of materials, colour and detail has created environments with different atmospheres and possibilities. ‘The theory stairs are made of wood, the service area has a light-blue floor with large, multifunctional pieces of furniture, the furniture in CadCam’s space is made of white plastic, the steel tables in the assembly hall can be rolled outside over concrete slabs, the cast floor of the wood workshop is light green, and the double-height bookcase in the library is made of aluminium. ‘Various designers were commissioned to develop components that would complement this interior. The interior of the library by Nils Norman, the interior of the Sandberg Institute by Anne Dessing, the curtain for the theory stairs by Anastasia Starostenko, the ceramic tiles around the stairs to the basement by Caro de Jonge, and the linoleum-covered tool furniture made by the wood workshop and Studio Fedlev all contribute to the diversity of the interior landscape.’

Stephanie: ‘In December 2014, a number of trees on Fred. Roeskestraat were cut down in order to clear space for offices. The trees were around fifty years old, and were thus planted at the time when the Rietveld Academie was built. ‘After they were cut down, we stored and dried the ash wood so we could use it to make furniture for the new building. We’ve used it for the top of our office table, for example. We’re also using it for part of the cupboard covering the wall of the office and the top part of a cupboard for the workshop. ‘Using raw materials and material from our own street adds value, because we’re putting the circular economy and sustainability into practice.’

When the new building is finished, the outdoor space will be addressed. Paulien Bremmer is also leading this part of the project. Among other things, there will be bicycle racks, parking places, a waste collection point, hackable ruins by two Architectural Design alumni (see drawing) and a garden by Jan Konings. The new garden will be a tribute to the original garden designed by Mien Ruis, a celebrated landscape gardener in the 1970s. The plans for the outdoor space have not been finalised yet, but a budget has been earmarked and the plans will be developed further.

The wood workshop and CadCam will be the first users to be moved into their quarters in the new building. In connection with the preparations, the move and settling into the space, the wood workshop and CadCam will be closed from Wednesday 21 March through Tuesday 3 April. A large part of this period falls within the Studium Generale week. Should the closure of the workshops during the periods listed below cause any difficulties for your teaching programme, please contact Arnoud Kortenbout, so that we can look at alternative options. Should it be the case that the workshops open earlier or later during the move, this will be communicated directly to the students and the organisation.

In addition to completing the new building, we are also redeveloping the entire site. In doing so, the Rietveld Academie wants to create a site that better meets our teaching needs. From Monday 2 April, the site will be developed in four phases. Unfortunately, this will cause substantial disruption to the organisation. In the attachment, the phases have been set out on a map of the site.

Phase 1

14 days Monday 2 April through Thursday 19 April

Phase 2

8 days Friday 20 April through Tuesday 1 May

Phase 3

18 days Wednesday 2 May through Friday 25 May

Phase 4

4 days Monday 28 May through Thursday 31 May

Carrying out the redevelopment will have certain consequences for the entire academy.

• Shipping containers: before the start of phase 1, the contents of both shipping containers will be moved. As soon as the containers are empty, they will be removed and will not be brought back onto site.

• Waste: during phase 1, the waste facility will be moved to the street side of the BC building. After phase 1, it will be moved to the final location between the Rietveld Academie and the BC building.

• Motorbikes and bicycles: throughout the entire redevelopment period, all bicycles and motorbikes should be parked behind the Rietveld Academie.

• Parking: during phases 1 and 2, there will be no on-site car parking facilities. A different location will be provided for those people with parking permits.

• Loading and unloading: as there will be minimal access to the site for cars, vans and trucks, loading and unloading will most probably have to be done from the street.

• Projects: during the redevelopment of the site, no student projects can be carried out in the courtyard.

• Access: during the redevelopment of the site, it may be the case that you are unable to access your normal entrance door, and you may need to reach your workspace via the main entrance. We will ensure that the 24-hour entrances always remain accessible outside office hours.

In view of the impact of the works, we are expecting everyone to cooperate with the above and to pass this information on to those concerned. If you have any questions, comments or problems, please contact Arnoud Kortenbout.