Brugzaal 

1969

Though not actually a building in itself, the Brugzaal ('Bridge Hall') represented one of the early principles of De Uithof. All buildings were meant to be connected above street level, whereas underneath all traffic and logistics were to be organised in a neat and efficient underworld. The idea was taken from American campuses. The Brugzaal was one of the earliest examples in preparation of connecting Transitorium 2 (Willem van Unnikbuilding) to its neighbours. In the eighties of the last century a rather poor extension to the Centrumgebouw Zuid (Martinus Langeveldbuilding) was realised and in 2004 a proper connection was made to the University Library as is shown on the background photo. The Brugzaal was demolished in August 2021 in anticipation of creating a more unobstructed central boulevard.

Facts and Figures

Connected Heidelberglaan 2 and Heidelberglaan 3

prof. ir. J.A. Lucas (Lucas and Niemeyer, Voorburg)

André Hoek (1963 - 2021) converted the building into a lounge 'bridge' in 2005 (interior, isolation glass panels and aluminum facade). Although the University had not programmed this use of the building in much detail, the result became an immediate succes with students.
Computer furniture: Mars interieurarchitecten 
Coated foam furniture: FEEK


Building period: 1967 - 1969
Opened: Oct 1969
Connected to Centrumgebouw Zuid: early 80's
Reconstruction to lounge area 2004 - 2005
Officially (re)opend 14th of July 2005
Altering construction to allow for the lightrail (Uithoflijn) to fit underneath, 2016.
Demolition: August 2021 (preparation started July 13th, removal week: 2-6th of August)


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Originally the 'Brugzaal' was used for teaching purposes, more specifically, it was as one of the larger university locations in which exams were taken.

The connection to 'Centrumgebouw Zuid' (Martinus Langeveldbuilding) that was constructed in the 80's, caused the building to be exclusively used for the Social Sciences. This Faculty was housed in both adjoining buildings and its library (BCU = Bibliotheek Centrum Uithof) was placed in the middle. During this period one could walk through a walkway at the western side of the building that was separated from the library by a semi-glass wall.

As soon as the University Library was built (2004) the connecting extension to 'Centrumgebouw Zuid' became superfluous and was demolished. The idea was that a protruding part of the library would meet and connect to the 'Brugzaal' (realised as can be seen on the background photo). The complementary connection from the University Library to the Langeveldbuilding was not realised due to budget cuts in the library project.
The BCU was integrated in the new University Library which made it possible to give the 'Brugzaal' a new functional destination. Architect André Hoek was commissioned to design an appropriate and delicate transition between the black interior with red accents of the Library-building and the 60's building across the street. He came up with the idea of a lounge area which could both give room to informal study places as well as more informal chilling. He used black in the floor as wel as red in the tailor made furniture.  

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