On Thursday October 2nd, the renovated R3 building on the Fontys Rachelsmolen campus in Eindhoven will be officially opened. Mecanoo designed the thorough redevelopment of the building which was completed in only six months. With a new exterior shell, improved circulation and an overhaul of the building’s main functions; R3 has already become a central access point for the entire campus.
Formerly a closed building, R3 now connects the campus to the city with a large transparent entrance. Designed as an inspiring vertical campus, the large variety of study areas throughout the building facilitate collaboration, whereas private study rooms on the building’s higher floors offer quieter workspaces. SILO designed the wayfinding for the building. By upgrading the technical installations and improving the insulation, the building has become significantly more sustainable.
Mecanoo also redesigned the outdoor space that connects the different buildings on campus. A new green central park area with seating has been created by moving the parking facilities to one side. Here, students and staff can meet, relax, use Wi-Fi and play table tennis.
R3 marks the second successful collaboration between Fontys and Mecanoo. In 2013, Fontys Sports College won the World Architecture Festival Award in the Schools category.