Civic Architects has completed a new lecture hall for Leiden University, marking another significant addition to the institution's modern campus development outside the historic city center. The 6,049 square meter educational facility was completed in 2025, representing a contemporary approach to university architecture in the Netherlands.
Leiden University, founded in 1575 as the first university in the Netherlands, has long been a familiar presence in the historic city center with its traditional academic buildings. However, the university's expansion beyond the historic core began in the second half of the 20th century with the construction of the Gorlaeus buildings, establishing what is now known as the Leiden Bio Science Park.
The new lecture hall project was led by principal architects Gert Kwekkeboom, Jan Lebbink, Ingrid van der Heijden, and Rick ten Doeschate from Civic Architects. The design team focused on creating a modern educational facility that serves the growing needs of the university's contemporary knowledge campus while maintaining high architectural standards.
The building incorporates a variety of modern materials including glass, steel, and concrete, reflecting current trends in educational architecture. The substantial size of the facility allows for multiple lecture halls and supporting spaces, providing the university with expanded capacity for its educational programs.
This project represents part of the ongoing development of Leiden's Bio Science Park, which has evolved into a significant modern campus complementing the university's historic buildings in the city center. The new lecture hall demonstrates how contemporary educational architecture can support the mission of one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities while embracing modern design principles and construction techniques.
