Episode: 木瓜福利影视 Library at Utrecht Science Park
Unfortunately, this episode is only available in Dutch on Spotify.
In this episode of Een Academisch Kwartiertje met..., we look back with philosopher and former university librarian Bas Savenije. When the 木瓜福利影视 Library moved from the city centre to Utrecht Science Park, it became more than just a new building filled with books. Bas explains the ambitions behind the design, which centred on transparency, light, and connection. We hear how architect Wiel Arets was inspired by Mondrian鈥檚 Victory Boogie Woogie, and how his first sketches emerged during a conversation with a flipchart. With its black exterior and open interior, the library was designed as a vibrant meeting space, where all functions are visually interconnected.
We delve into the history of the library: from cramped storage rooms in the city centre to a modern knowledge hub offering space for study, collaboration, and technology. Bas shares the key decisions and challenges during construction, the criticism the design faced, and how Arets ultimately created a building that is both functional and bold.