Since the late 90’s, Ector Hoogstad Architecten has been closely involved with the development of Twente University. A master plan was drawn up for the campus which covers the urban design. Jan Hoogstad, the supervisor, is responsible for monitoring all planning. The master plan divides up the campus into 2 urbanized parts: one for housing and leisure, the other for education and research. This concentration of building allows large parts of the surrounding park to remain untouched. Ector Hoogstad Architecten was commissioned to design three new buildings in the master plan: the new IT centre, the building for the combined faculties of Science and Technology, Mathematics and Computer Sciences (Carré) and the Institute for Nanotechnology (Nanolab). The latter two together form the heart of the Education and Research Centre. Carré houses all office and laboratory
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facilities of the 2 faculties. The Nanolab accommodates the most valuable laboratories the university has to offer. Carré is a five-storey building enclosing a central courtyard. The design has a singularly deep nave of 21.6 meters. This gives the building optimum flexibility, while the continuous rectangular routing facilitates smooth passage without any dead ends. As part of the project Hall B, the oldest university building on the campus has been renovated to become the main entrance of the Carré. From here Carré can be accessed via a wide transparent corridor, crossing the courtyard at the level of the first floor; it provides access to the adjacent Nanolab. The Carré together with the new Nanolab form an ensemble that connects all existing buildings that make up the Education and Research centre.
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