Like any good university library, the Polak Building is designed to engender intense focus from the students who work in it. The building, which is the newest addition to the Erasmus University Rotterdam campus in the Dutch city, features crisply white staircases and hallways that are calming and attractive without being florid or distracting.
The Polak Building was designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects, a Dutch studio. Aside from its clean look, the building was meant to be linked to society and the surrounding world rather than suffering from the insularity of many university campuses. The teaching section in the atrium of the Polak Building thus links directly to businesses that are separate from campus life, such as a cafe, a hairdresser, and a shopping center.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Campus Innovation
- Opportunities for innovative campus design that emphasize community and connection with local businesses and society.
- Minimalist Architecture
- Growing popularity of minimalist design in university and library building architecture to promote focus and productivity.
- Integrated Commercial Spaces
- Rising trend of integrating commercial spaces like cafes and retail stores into academic campuses to provide more conveniences for students and faculty.
Where This Applies
- Education
- Innovative architecture, design and campus planning offer opportunities to enhance the learning experience for students.
- Architecture
- Architects have a chance to design and develop innovative structures that embrace minimalist style and integrate community spaces into campus buildings.
- Retail
- Opportunities for retail stores and cafes to set up on university campuses and provide convenient services for students and faculty, potentially leading to increased sales and exposure.
