Civic Architects has renovated the Gorlaeus Lecture Hall in Leiden, the Netherlands.

The Gorlaeus Laboratoria and Lecture Hall were built in the second half of the 20th century, as the starting signal for the development of a modern knowledge campus for the University of Leiden.

The now outdated lecture hall has been renovated according to the principles of bioclimatic design and transformed into an education and meeting centre with work and study spaces, a restaurant for 400 people and four lecture and event rooms with 250 to 700 seats.

Civic provided both the architectural and interior design, drawing inspiration from the style of the original architects, Drexhage, Sterkenburg, Bodon & Venstra (DSBV).

The ambitions of Leiden University played a role on different levels: firstly, improving the energy performance of the poorly insulated original building.

Secondly, re-imagining the building within its surroundings as an inviting and recognisable public learning centre on the campus.

Thirdly, the ambition was to renovate the building while it stayed in use for lectures and exams, resulting in complex construction phasing with big prefabricated facade segments.

This project has been longlisted in the sustainable renovation category of Dezeen Awards 2025.

Studio: Civic Architects
Project: Gorlaeus Lecture Hall Leiden
Credits: Van Dijke BV, Halmos & EFPC, Vitruvius Bouwkostenadvies and Vijverborgh