A new future for TU Delft’s Gele Scheikunde complex
Quality objectives
The spatial and programmatic framework contains five objectives for enhancing the quality of this favorably situated location:
- Strengthen planting and water features and add public green space.
- Aim for high-quality, mutually attuned public space and architecture.
- Harmonise heights and typologies of buildings and quality of public space with surrounding area.
- Strive for urban density and a varied housing programme.
- Facilitate sustainable transport and make room for pedestrians and cyclists, and to a lesser extent cars.
Based on these objectives, spatial principles have been formulated, accompanied by some specific recommendations. These will provide spatial and programmatic reference points for the urban planning vision for redevelopment of the site. The vision will dovetail with principles laid out in previous studies for this part of the university and the spatial development policy framework for the overall campus. The redevelopment framework was drawn up and refined with the help of interactive working sessions and design studies conducted with stakeholders. The result is a vision that enjoys broad support, in which the university and the city have together determined the scope for development.
Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Gele Scheikunde comprises a handful of buildings between Julianalaan, Michiel de Ruyterweg and Prins Bernhardlaan. The complex is part of TU Noord, an area in transition whose historic building groups have determined its character for many years but from which the university has gradually withdrawn. After housing the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry for seven decades, Gele Scheikunde has lost its original function. The university seeks to sell the site to another party to permit development of a new urban district.
Next steps
The city of Delft recently approved the purchase of part of the site for construction of a new international secondary school. A public sale will lead to the transfer of the remaining section to a developer, which will draw up an appropriate plan for a new live-work area based on the formulated objectives and principles.
