Oxblood red beams and a turreted rug

"Well, how do you take up such an assignment as an architect? I always start with conversations with my client," says Jaap Dijkman. "That's central and that's where I get my inspiration from. While talking, we achieve something. We put the ideas on the stove for a while, let them simmer, dare to doubt, talk some more. And that's how a moment naturally arises when we say: that's it!"

"You also do archival research, of course. Here in Utrecht, we were dealing with a building from the 15th century. Then you want to know roughly what you are going to encounter and what you can do with it. Some things were immediately clear: those modular ceilings had to go. But other questions arose as well. Do you keep the two lecture halls that made up the building as a room ensuite? What colour do you use for those beautiful beams that emerged? How do you situate the bar or the toilets? You find answers while talking. For those beams, we ended up choosing an old colour 'oxblood red'; that colour really used to be made with oxblood, also to prevent the wood from rotting."

We restored the medieval hall to its former glory. Besides a space for drinks and dinner, the university also wanted a bookcase and small workstations. Therefore, on the long side the entire length and two floors high, we designed a cabinet wall. In it, we incorporated the library, stairs to the mezzanine, entrance doors and niches for internet use."

For the beams, we chose an old colour 'oxblood red'; that colour really used to be made with oxblood, also to prevent the wood from rotting.

New with respect for history

"We prefer to work with steel and wood. That ages nicely, is not so expensive and also fits in nicely with the old atmosphere that the hall exudes. Because that too was a choice: either you turn it into something antique or you turn it into something new, but with respect for the old. We chose the latter. The initiators of the Faculty Club knew we could do that respectfully. They had been inspired by visiting Teylers Museum in Haarlem and Arti et Amicitae on the Rokin in Amsterdam, for whom we also worked. And they knew from our projects for Dudok in Rotterdam and The Hague and the former Polman's House in Utrecht that we could deliver similar work.

We also designed the bar, armchairs, tables, rug and light fittings for the Faculty Club. I understand that the rug and armchairs are now gone. For that rug, we used the little tower as a motif; it later became the Faculty Club's logo. I think we spent about a year and a half in total on this assignment. With great pleasure!"