Inholland Rotterdam

Due to its repurposing as a study area, the design had to comply with Fresh Schools Class C acoustic values and individual workspaces had to meet Class B light intensity values. This means that the average reverberation time must be a maximum of 0.8 seconds and there must be a lighting intensity of at least 500 lux on the worktop of the workstations. To be cost-effective, existing furniture was used to create a new configuration. 

No fewer than 12 floors with, among other things, 1,400 workplaces for students, meeting rooms and public spaces for INHolland Rotterdam, furnished by Ahrend. The Inholland Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences library was also transformed into a closed study space. Ahrend took on the design for the acoustics, as well as for the self-study areas and larger workspaces.

The study area comprises various types of work and study spaces, with the central Ahrend Flexblox functioning as a "disturbance-free" collaboration space. In addition, there are S-shaped lounge setups for independent learning and tables with individual workstations and more privacy has been created by installing screens.

Based on the materials present, and their acoustic properties, the baseline position was calculated regarding the acoustics in the room. This is how we determined how many m² of acoustic material would need to be used to achieve the desired acoustic environment. After completion of the space, noise and light measurements were carried out at various locations in the space, which showed that the acoustics and lighting met the pre-set requirements. A great result allowing students to study and collaborate in peace.