Present-day education

Fully sustainable by 2030

The first theme is that the university wants to strengthen its connection with the city. “This means, for example, creating more facilities and student housing on campus. The second, closely related theme is encouraging encounters. Third, the different buildings and the campus grounds must be adaptable and flexible. In other words, we want to build in enough flexibility to respond to future developments. The final key theme is sustainability, as TU Delft has the ambition to operate fully CO₂-neutral and circular by 2030. That is why our campus also serves as a living lab, a place where innovations are developed and tested in a realistic environment.”

Echo creates space for collaboration

Although online teaching took off during the coronavirus pandemic, it also made clear how important it is to be on campus. “During your student years, you go through major social development, and face-to-face contact is essential,” Koen explains. “That’s why TU Delft decided ten years ago to centralise general education, in order to strengthen contact between different faculties. It also leads to more efficient use of space, allowing us to respond better to changing demands across faculties.”

"With projects like this, it's okay to be ambitious"

This vision is reflected in the construction of new campus buildings. In May 2022, a brand-new building called Echo opened. Echo is a sustainable, energy-generating (with solar panels), interfaculty education building. It provides space for teaching, debates and self-study, as well as areas for collaboration and office space. The café on the ground floor and the extended opening hours support encounters between students, lecturers and staff.

Success factors

Koen explains what helps to create innovative new learning spaces. “Most importantly, involve future users and give them the opportunity to share input. I also always say you should set the bar slightly higher than you normally would. With projects like this, it’s fine to be a bit ambitious. And last but not least: encourage people to use the building once it’s there. Create a lively atmosphere and support lecturers in using new technologies and IT facilities.”

"The trick is to put yourself in the shoes of users of the future"

Does Koen have any tips for other educational institutions looking to innovate their campus? “I notice that future users who help design a new building often focus on the here and now. The key is to help people imagine the users of the future as well.”

Read more on the TU Delft website

Text: Lyanneke Krauss

"For creative and innovative thinking, an active learning attitude is essential"

"We have a large green facade where there are bat boxes, bird houses and insect hotels. On our roof terrace there are not only solar panels, but also 30 species of native plants. By placing plants, we bring 'outside' to 'inside' throughout the building. Research has shown that this has a positive effect on students' health and ability to concentrate. A special feature is that the plants are watered with collected rainwater and even have plant food added automatically!"

Blended learning

"The building is completely smart," Marije continues. "Think of automatic regulation of the temperature, awnings that go down when the sun shines, and electronic doors. "The design of the building was supervised by Eromesmarko. Project consultant Robert ten Wolde explains the choices made to arrive at the new study environment. "We wanted to create an environment that matches the various activities of the college and within which there is room for blended learning: a combination between different forms of learning."

The starting point for choosing the furniture was to activate students. "To develop creative and innovative thinking, an active learning attitude is essential. In addition to a number of classrooms with a classic set-up, we therefore created classrooms with different types of seats and set-ups. Think 'train seats', round tables and standing tables. In doing so, we collaborated with local furniture designers from Almere."

Much of the furnishings and furniture are made from recycled materials. For example, the roof terrace is made from an old ship's deck and existing tables have been converted into bar tables using a wooden frame. That wood, in turn, comes from a tree from the Floriade.

Meeting places

The floors of the building each have a different theme: 'air', 'water', soil', 'food' and 'people and living environment'. To encourage a healthy lifestyle, a large central staircase runs through the building, interrupted by various seating areas where students can meet. The special layout encourages them to interact with each other and come up with great ideas together.

"Students and teachers come into contact with each other in an approachable way"

"Besides meeting places for students, we also think it is important that students and teachers can come into contact with each other in an approachable way. The building is therefore very transparent," Marije explains. She also regularly gives guided tours to visitors. "I always get enthusiastic responses. I really think we have created something beautiful with our new campus."

Text: Lyanneke Krauss

Some rooms have also been decorated in the style of airlines, including KLM, Transavia and TUI. These companies and other (educational) partners can reserve those rooms for meetings or training sessions, including outside school hours. In addition, there is a practical area where students learn how to check in passengers and even a working baggage belt.

Learning squares

The sticky campus is a safe environment, where everyone with a passion for education is welcome and likes to 'stick around'. Within it, Albeda facilitates personalised learning routes for each student. "We find it important that students feel responsible for their own development," says Samira.

"Several learning squares have been set up in our building, where anyone can go with questions. Teachers are present at those learning squares to help students. For example, there is an English learning square for students who need extra support in this regard. All this is not without obligation; the learning squares are part of a timetable. Students can choose which ones they visit."

Cameras, film studio and robots

"Students are prepared for professional practice here. Think of positions such as airport security officer, detention facility security officer, aviation service provider or facilities manager. In order to master the corresponding skills, it is important for students to be physically present," explains Yvonne. "That presence also strengthens the connection between students themselves, and that with teachers and partners from the business world."

So while online education is not a prominent feature at this location, the campus does have a variety of other technologies. "Our practice rooms are equipped with cameras so that we can provide students with good feedback. We also have a 'green screen film studio' where teachers can record their own videos, for example as part of 'flipping the classroom'. In addition, there are robots that are used at events and in lessons. Finally, we have a large video wall, which is widely used for teaching with virtual reality and delivering presentations."

Health and well-being

Attention to sustainability is also present within Albeda, especially when it comes to students' health and well-being. "In the future, we want to provide students not only with education aimed at a specific job, but also help them with a healthy lifestyle. This prevents dropout and prepares students for their future. For everyone in every profession, you have to be and stay fit. We therefore want to pay more attention to things like healthy eating, more exercise and mindfulness," Samira explains. "The bottom line is that we see ourselves more as a learning community, an inspiring sticky campus, rather than just a school."

Text: Lyanneke Krauss