Last November, Starbucks left the Educafé in Zilverling after its ten-year contract expired. Before that, the Educafé was primarily a study location, with social and association spaces alongside – and above – it.
More study spaces
The space will return to that earlier function, albeit with a new look. This is according to Matthijs Jansen op de Haar, student assessor at the EEMCS faculty, who is involved in the process. ‘Our previous student assessor, Julia Blok, conducted a survey among EEMCS students to assess their needs. It showed that they wanted Starbucks to leave. The Educafé was often noisy, and there was a shortage of study spaces for students from our faculty. They frequently had to move to other buildings on campus.’
After consultations with representatives of study associations, the faculty opted to redesign the space as a study area. The company Eromesmarko put forward the strongest proposal, according to Jansen op de Haar. ‘With the renovation, the number of study spaces will increase from around 140 to 164.’
Sustainable and flexible
Sustainability and flexibility were key considerations, the student assessor explains. ‘We want to reuse as much of the existing furniture as possible. Even the partition left behind by Starbucks can be reused after a fresh coat of paint.’ Flexibility will come from replacing the current long tables. ‘We are introducing movable furniture, which will also make room for events – potentially connected to the social spaces. In addition, we want to offer a greater variety of study areas, suitable for both individuals and project groups.’
There will also be several other cosmetic and functional improvements, Jansen op de Haar continues. ‘A new floor, soundproofing for the mezzanine, and a coffee corner, likely near the entrance. This should also encourage staff to make use of the space.’
The renovation is scheduled to take place during the summer break, starting with the installation of the new flooring. Those involved hope the work will be completed in time for the Kick-In.
no Peace Centre
Earlier, a group of students and staff attempted to rebrand the Educafé as a ‘Peace Centre’, but these plans have now been dropped. ‘We took their perspective into account, and they understand the goal and the plans to provide more and better study spaces for students,’ the student assessor says.
