Meanwhile on campus

It would be no exaggeration to call the imposing orange and blue tower of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science a landmark. The 90-metre high building is a symbol of the university in the city. But for how much longer? The Executive Board would like to demolish the municipal listed building.

Opened in 1969, the building originally housed only the department of Electrical Engineering.  Almost 50 years after the opening the tower is at the end of its useful lifespan. According to the university, the building no longer meets the demands and desires of education and research, even after an extensive and costly renovation.

The university is currently investigating demolition and developing new construction plans for teaching rooms and the Department of Electrical Engineering, in the car park behind the building. This will be followed by new construction for Mathematics and Computer Science, as well as the Else Kooi Laboratory. Buildings for teaching, research and food and drink outlets are planned for behind the current building.

Stichting Docomomo Netherlands, a working group for the preservation of modern heritage, is opposed to demolition, and it started a petition last year, which has now been signed by 854 people.