Contractor selected for construction of the Anna Maria van Schurman building

Utrecht University has selected specialist builder Schakel & Schrale to construct the Anna Maria van Schurman Building, the new education centre in the historic city centre of Utrecht. The formal contract has been awarded, meaning that construction can start in early 2026. The building is expected to be taken into use by the university in early 2028.

Educational building with character

The Anna Maria van Schurman Building will become an important centre for education in the city centre. The building offers modern educational facilities for students and strengthens the connection between the university buildings in this part of the city.

“With the Anna Maria van Schurman building, we are giving the city centre a new centre for education,” says Margot van der Starre, President of the Executive Board. "It is a place where history and the future meet: a sustainable and inspiring building where students and lecturers come together to learn, research and meet each other. In this way, we are not only investing in bricks and mortar, but above all in the quality of our education and our community."

The combination of renovation and new construction makes this a unique project: the new education centre is being built partly on the existing basement of a monumental building and is being carefully integrated into the historic surroundings.

Specialised builder in monumental heritage

With Schakel & Schrale, the university has gained an experienced partner in the field of restoration and renovation of monumental heritage. The company has a long track record of combining craftsmanship and innovation. This is exactly what is needed for this project, which brings together old and new. Rene van der Schee, director of Schakel & Schrale: 'We look forward to working with the university to build an educational building that respects the historic character of the city centre and is ready for the future.' 
The assessment committee praised Schakel & Schrale's solid project organisation and careful approach, with an eye for the special inner-city location and limiting nuisance to the surrounding area.

Sustainable and future-proof education

With the Anna Maria van Schurman building, Utrecht University is investing in sustainable and future-oriented education. The building will be energy efficient and designed with circularity and accessibility in mind. The new building fits in with the university's broader ambitions to make its real estate more sustainable and to strengthen the historic city centre as a vibrant place for learning and meeting.