Leiden University Lecture Hall by Civic Architects

Leiden University, established in 1575, is the oldest university in the Netherlands and a prominent landmark in the historic city center. While the traditional university buildings are well known, the modernist “Gorlaeus” structures, constructed in the latter half of the 20th century, remain lesser-known gems. These buildings marked the university’s expansion into what has become the Leiden Bio Science Park, a hub of scientific research and higher education outside the city’s historic core. Among these structures, the Gorlaeus Lecture Hall, affectionately called “The Saucer”, has recently been transformed by Civic Architects into a cutting-edge, energy-efficient education and meeting center, seamlessly blending its modernist heritage with contemporary academic needs.

Adapting the Iconic “Saucer”

The renovated lecture hall now serves as a multifunctional hub featuring four lecture rooms with capacities ranging from 250 to 700 students, a restaurant for 400 people, and numerous work and study spaces. Civic Architects were responsible for both the architectural and interior design, drawing inspiration from the bold, modernist language of the original architects, Drexhage, Sterkenburg, Bodon & Venstra (DSBV). Their design approach reinterprets the Gorlaeus building’s hyperfunctionalism, shifting the focus from isolated functionality to an architecture that actively connects with its users, the environment, and the climate.

Redefining Modernist Extravagance

The Gorlaeus building is characterized by its elevated main levels, expansive glass façades, and strong geometric presence, hallmarks of mid-20th-century university architecture. However, the building’s original design transcended the ordinary by incorporating striking structural aesthetics and exaggerated detailing. Civic Architects embraced these features, updating them to align with contemporary educational demands. Functionality was expanded beyond mere utility to create spaces that foster collaboration, encourage social interaction, and provide flexibility for a variety of academic and community activities.

Integrating the Building into the Campus

One of the key interventions involved removing the original entrance annex to release the building into its surroundings and improve access to nearby facilities. The elevated public functions, which were previously separated from campus life, are now directly connected to the ground via a new staircase that serves as the main entrance. This staircase, echoing the bold proportions of the original concrete structure, also functions as an outdoor gathering place for students, offering panoramic views over the renovated campus square and park. At its upper landing, the staircase leads to a circular corridor ring that provides access to all lecture halls and connects to a panoramic restaurant with work, study, and meeting areas, suitable for conferences and academic events.

Reimagining the Façade

Another significant transformation involved reversing the upward tilt of the façade, which had previously given the building a defensive, closed-off appearance. By angling it downward, the architects enhanced the building’s connection to its surroundings, reflecting both the sky and the campus activity while improving visibility into interior spaces. This modification retains the circular form and iconic identity of “The Saucer”, ensuring it continues to serve as a recognizable landmark while projecting openness and accessibility.

Climate-Adaptive Winter Gardens

The renovation introduced climate-responsive winter gardens around the façade, inspired by the original DSBV design, which already accounted for sunlight and environmental orientation. South- and east-facing segments function as passively heated, actively ventilated spaces, offering seating areas and workstations that overlook the campus square. These areas serve as informal meeting points for students, ideal for studying, socializing, or enjoying a coffee. North- and west-facing sections incorporate walkways and canopies to minimize solar heat gain, while also accommodating emergency staircases and maintenance access, merging functionality with sustainable design.

Maintaining Academic Continuity During Construction

Due to the Gorlaeus Lecture Hall’s role as the university’s largest teaching facility, construction was phased carefully to minimize disruption. A specialized method allowed 10-metre-wide, 6-metre-high façade segments to be assembled and suspended piece by piece between existing radial trusses. Each segment corresponded to a single corridor section serving one lecture hall, ensuring that only one room was out of service at a time while the rest of the building remained fully operational. This approach enabled a seamless transformation without interrupting academic activities.

A Landmark of Functional Beauty

Today, the Leiden University Lecture Hall stands as a model of how historic modernist architecture can be revitalized for contemporary use. Civic Architects successfully blended energy efficiency, climate-responsive design, and spatial openness with the building’s bold mid-century character. Its circular form, winter gardens, and integrated public areas create a dynamic academic environment that balances heritage preservation with innovative functionality, ensuring the building continues to serve and inspire generations of students and faculty alike.

Photography: Stijn Bollaert