Interactive overview of the metamorphosis
Welcome to the new campus square: where nature and relaxation come together
For students, staff and visitors, the campus square has been transformed into a place where you can do more than just run from class to class. The new greened campus square is a space to meet, relax and lie in the grass in summer.
Terraces and picnic tables: enjoying the greenery
The terraces placed at different spots on the square invite you to take a break. Whether you want to have a cup of coffee at Grand Café LIVING or Doppio, or enjoy one of the many new seating areas, you will feel right at home here.
Lawns for relaxation and play
The lawns provide space for all kinds of activities and invite creativity. It is the ideal place to let go of everything for a while and connect with the campus and your fellow students and/or colleagues in a different way.
BBQ and sports facilities
For active campus residents, there are several new additions. BBQs are ready for fun and tasty moments with friends or colleagues, it is the perfect way to end a sunny afternoon. There are also table tennis tables for a game of ping pong and chess tables for those who like a strategic game. Or work out your muscles on the calisthenics court. More in the mood for a game of beach volleyball or basketball? Then borrow a ball from security (basement Main Building). There is plenty to do on the new square.
Tiny forest: a green oasis
And then there is the Tiny Forest, a special addition to the square. Between the terraces and sports facilities, this small forest offers an oasis of calm. It is a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the day. The Tiny Forest is a symbolic addition to the campus, highlighting the importance of sustainability and biodiversity. Here, everyone can come to themselves for a moment, in silence or with a good book.
Connecting with nature and each other
The new campus square is an invitation to slow down, to be with others, and to feel connected to nature and the environment. Whether you come to study, relax or socialise, the plaza offers something for everyone. It is a place that enriches the campus.
Vibrant heart
The campus square is the vibrant heart of the campus. It has an urban but green feel and it invites you to meet and relax. An outdoor living room where you can work or meet on one of the terraces or benches with a cup of coffee from, for example, Doppio, the SPAR or Grand café LIVING. On the VU Campus you will also find a sports centre, films at Rialto and activities and courses at cultural centre Griffioen.
Green campus
Less stones and more greenery make it a pleasant place to be. The greenery, in the form of various trees, perennials and grass, is not only good for your health, but also for biodiversity and provides a better microclimate, especially in the hot summers. Moreover, it captures more water during large amounts of rainfall.
The various green roofs on campus also contribute to this. The green roof on the New University Building is in full bloom in summer and attracts many insects and birds. Thus, the long-headed emerald bee, collared redstart, clovers, rattle, poppy, and several species of bumblebees and butterflies have been spotted. The roof on the Main Building is a roof garden, but there is also a 'living lab' for researchers.
By greening the square and installing good water management systems, we respond to inner-city warming (hot summers) and create a locally pleasant microclimate. With fewer stones and more greenery, it will become a pleasant place to stay.
Car-free residential area
The campus remains a car-free area by clearly arranging walking flows and logistic movements and keeping motorised traffic off the square as much as possible. Parking for cars and bicycles takes place underground in parking garages. The car park will accommodate around 600 cars and 1,600 bicycles.
Come along, enjoy the greenery, and discover how the new campus square can bring you inspiration - a place where the city and nature come together in harmony.