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Herta Mohr
Herta Mohr
27a, Witte Singel, Vreewijk, Leiden, Netherlands
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Herta Mohr
27a, Witte Singel, Vreewijk, Leiden, Netherlands
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft
BUDGET
Undisclosed
The renovation of Herta Mohr at Leiden University is a prime example of sustainable, circular, adaptive reuse. Originally designed by Joop van Stigt in the 1970s as Cluster Zuid, the building was transformed by De Zwarte Hond, expanding its footprint from 12,458 to 16,008 sqm. The redesign prioritizes sustainability, earning BREEAM Excellent certification, and now houses 700 teaching and self-study spaces, two lecture halls, meeting and common rooms, libraries, and a parking garage.
The original layout, consisted of seven 'houses,' but navigating was difficult. Nearly identical courtyards, narrow corridors, and closed walls created an enclosed, disorienting environment. Dark wooden slat ceilings and frosted or wired glass partitions contributed to a gloomy atmosphere. Leiden University commissioned De Zwarte Hond to enhance both spatial clarity and user experience.
The central 'house' was demolished and replaced with a spacious atrium and main entrance, significantly improving natural light and wayfinding. Impressively, most of the original structure and façade was preserved. The new design also strengthens the connection between the campus and the city: the new entrance now links the outdoor plaza with the interior courtyard, creating a seamless transition and encouraging social interaction both inside and out.
Circular construction principles were central to the project. Materials were carefully reused: bricks and paving stones from the demolished central house, wooden ceiling slats repurposed as decorative walls, and crushed concrete reintegrated in various finishes—from smooth plank-formed surfaces to exposed aggregate. Three original mushroom columns were relocated and left exposed as sculptural reminders of the building’s concrete legacy.
Blending heritage with innovation, the Herta Mohr project demonstrates how outdated infrastructure can be transformed into a future-proof, sustainable, and inviting academic environment. It sets a benchmark for circular architecture and serves as a thoughtful tribute to the history of both the building and the city of Leiden.
The original layout, consisted of seven 'houses,' but navigating was difficult. Nearly identical courtyards, narrow corridors, and closed walls created an enclosed, disorienting environment. Dark wooden slat ceilings and frosted or wired glass partitions contributed to a gloomy atmosphere. Leiden University commissioned De Zwarte Hond to enhance both spatial clarity and user experience.
The central 'house' was demolished and replaced with a spacious atrium and main entrance, significantly improving natural light and wayfinding. Impressively, most of the original structure and façade was preserved. The new design also strengthens the connection between the campus and the city: the new entrance now links the outdoor plaza with the interior courtyard, creating a seamless transition and encouraging social interaction both inside and out.
Circular construction principles were central to the project. Materials were carefully reused: bricks and paving stones from the demolished central house, wooden ceiling slats repurposed as decorative walls, and crushed concrete reintegrated in various finishes—from smooth plank-formed surfaces to exposed aggregate. Three original mushroom columns were relocated and left exposed as sculptural reminders of the building’s concrete legacy.
Blending heritage with innovation, the Herta Mohr project demonstrates how outdated infrastructure can be transformed into a future-proof, sustainable, and inviting academic environment. It sets a benchmark for circular architecture and serves as a thoughtful tribute to the history of both the building and the city of Leiden.
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