PC Hoofthuis, University building in Binnenstad district, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The PC Hoofthuis is a university building along Spuistraat defined by its red brick facade and large windows that flood the interior with daylight. This seven-story structure houses lecture halls, offices, and study centers distributed across its floors.
The building was completed in 1984 by architect Theo Bosch following demolition of the Twentsche Bank, introducing a new architectural approach to the city. This shift from historic bank architecture to modern university design marked an important transformation of the site.
The building serves as home to multiple departments of the Faculty of Humanities, where students move between classrooms and study zones throughout the day. The open corridors create a permeable space between the street and academic life inside.
The building sits near Spui square and features a bicycle storage area in the basement and a canteen on the third floor. Visitors can find study areas spread across multiple levels and should use the large windows as visual landmarks.
The original design featured lecture rooms without glass partitions, allowing passersby in the corridors to hear fragments of lectures. This open concept integrated the university into the urban space rather than isolating it.
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