On the UT campus Drienerlo in Enschede, a new faculty building for the International Institute for Geo-Information Sciences (ITC) has been built, designed by Civic Architects, VDNDP and Studio Groen+Schild. By cleverly using existing features of this building, a sustainable and spacious new faculty has been built.
Golden Phoenix 2024
European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture /
Mies van der Rohe Awards 2026
Abe Bonnema Architecture Prize 2025
Architectenweb Awards School Building of the Year 2023
BNA Best Building of the Year 2024 - prize from the expert jury
The Langezijds building is located on the campus of the University of Twente in Enschede and, at 220 meters long, is one of the longest buildings in the Netherlands. Since April 2023, the 13,783 m² building has housed approximately 700 students and staff from the University of Twente's Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC). The move to the Education & Research Square is the ultimate culmination of ITC's integration into the UT.
At ITC, students from all over the world are researching how to make their countries of origin more sustainable. This makes the sustainable nature of the building, which has been reinforced by the new design, all the more fitting. The concrete ground floor and steel upper floor have been retained. However, the interior has undergone a major transformation: four brand-new atriums provide greenery, daylight, fresh air, and clear orientation within the building.
The architecture of University Building ITC/UT aims to highlight the materials used and existing in the building. The former engineering hall is still recognizable thanks to the visible preservation of the raw concrete and steel construction, lots of glass and hundreds of laminated oak window frames. Rugged beams protrude outward, columns stand in the atriums like ruins and plantings grow through the structure. Only material-specific colors were used; paint was not used. The design also tried to encourage natural ventilation and create small ecosystems for flora and fauna. For example, plants are in the open ground and rainwater runs off the glass roofs into the ponds.
The renovated building mixes teaching, offices, labs and study areas. Downstairs, concentration is key, as in the library and presentation room. Upstairs are the larger rooms and halls and there is space for meeting. A wide interior street connects the spaces on this floor.
Langezijds is one of the most sustainable buildings on campus. In addition to going from energy label G to A+++, the building is a transparent and future-proof building that houses teaching spaces, laboratories, a large study center, offices and a place where food can be obtained and consumed.
"After an intensive construction period where many involved worked hard with heart and soul to sustainably renovate Langezijds, I am proud of the result and of everyone who worked on it. A beautiful characteristic building made suitable for housing ITC."
Rob Nengerman | construction project manager | Campus & Facility Management Utwente
The jury considers the transformation of the strikingly elongated building a "total story": for example, sustainability, use of space and natural elements are strongly connected. In addition, she finds the simplicity that speaks from all choices particularly sympathetic. The use of materials is restrained. The installations are housed in the raised first floor, which preserves the free height of the (lower) first floor. The jury's impression is that the building offers a particularly pleasant environment in which to work and study. There is variation in workplaces and atmospheres, with space for both meeting and rest. Faculty ITC looks like a small, rich community.
Read the full jury report here
You can read about the winner of the Abe Bonnema Architecture Prize 2025 on the Abe Bonnema Architecture Prize website
Project ITC » Abe Bonnema Prize
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Special building for a special faculty
CIVIC Architects + VDNDP + Studio Groen+Schild
Arup
Schreuders bouwadvies
Dura Vermeer Bouw Hengelo / Trebbe
Valstar Simonis
Croonwolter&dros
Joost de Beij
DS Landschapsarchitecten
Flora Nova
Buro Loo
