Student Experience Minervahaven

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Europe's most sustainable student residence. 600 fully furnished studios in Amsterdam's Houthaven district, with solar-integrated facades on three sides and a BREEAM Excellent certification. Winner of two Class Foundation awards in 2021.

Europe's most sustainable student residence. 600 fully furnished studios in Amsterdam's Houthaven district, with solar-integrated facades on three sides and a BREEAM Excellent certification. Winner of two Class Foundation awards in 2021.

25.000 m²

Size of project

25.000 m²

Size of project

600

Units

600

Units

2020

Year completed

2020

Year completed

2020

Year completed

Where Sustainability Meets Full-Service Living

Where Sustainability Meets Full-Service Living

Sustainability as a design principle, not an add-on

Minervahaven holds both the BREEAM Excellent (76.9%) and BREEAM In-Use Excellent certificates, making it the most sustainable student residence in Europe. Around 1,700 solar panels are integrated into the east, south and west facades, allowing the building to largely meet its own energy needs. A system combining thermal energy storage, an electric heat pump and district heating handles all climate control. The building is entirely gas-free and lit with LED throughout. Designed by VURB Architects and built by Pleijsier Bouw, the stepped design maximises daylight across all 600 fully furnished studios, which range from 20 to 45 m².

A Building That Activates Its District

A Building That Activates Its District

Open to the neighbourhood by design

VURB Architects identified the Houthaven as a district that was busy by day and quiet by night. Minervahaven was designed to change that. The ground floor is accessible to the wider community and includes a restaurant, gym and meeting rooms. Upstairs, residents have access to a lounge, study spaces, game corner, private dining room and launderette. The rooftop combines a basketball court with terraces across a stepped design that looks out over the harbour. A green courtyard with a rainwater recycling system, native plantings and an insect hotel sits at the centre of the building.

Impressions

Impressions

Solar facades on three sides, a green courtyard with rainwater recycling, and a rooftop basketball court overlooking the Houthaven. Minervahaven was the fourth Student Experience complex and the first to be purpose-built for sustainability, earning both the Best Student Housing Property and Best Sustainable Student Property awards from The Class Foundation in 2021.

Our Partners

Our Partners

Every project is shaped by the people behind it. We partner with specialists who share our commitment to building living environments that last.

The Experience Net

The Experience Net connects the people, knowledge and technology that build the future of living. By integrating development with operations, we create sustainable living environments that deliver lasting value for residents, cities and partners across Europe.

The Experience Net

The Experience Net connects the people, knowledge and technology that build the future of living. By integrating development with operations, we create sustainable living environments that deliver lasting value for residents, cities and partners across Europe.

The Experience Net

The Experience Net connects the people, knowledge and technology that build the future of living. By integrating development with operations, we create sustainable living environments that deliver lasting value for residents, cities and partners across Europe.

The Experience Net

The Experience Net connects the people, knowledge and technology that build the future of living. By integrating development with operations, we create sustainable living environments that deliver lasting value for residents, cities and partners across Europe.