As the word ‘campus’ literally translates to ‘field’, its traditional spatial model follows the construction of a series of standalone buildings surrounding an open rectangular field. Such campuses often are enclaves outside of the city, characterized by isolation and a lack of interplay between the city and the academic world. This project rethinks the interplay between these two worlds, prioritising a two-sided connection where both parties contribute to and benefit from each other.
The project answers the question how a public vertical campus contributes to and enriches the city of The Hague, fostering social, cultural and economic vitality. This is done by creating an organization of spaces that aim to provide connection, collaboration and performance between various user groups coming from both the city and academic world. Social and cultural vitality is provided through spaces that foster connection and collaboration, for example public temporary exhibitions and group workshops, located on the (semi-)public lower and middle levels. Economic vitality is provided through spaces that foster performance, for example offices and research spaces, located on the semi-private upper levels, occasionally interrupted by levels that offer in-between breakout spaces to collaborate. With this design, all users with different backgrounds become cosmopolitans, belonging to one community.