Transparent university
The central facilities of the new Zernike campus have been accommodated on a gross floor space of 13,800 square metres, though also the institute rooms of the mathematical and natural sciences faculty. This is where students will find a refec tory, library, various lecture theatres, an exhibition room and two shops on the lower floors. The institute, seminar and office rooms are on the upper floors. Glass and steel are the dominant materials.
The two lower levels are transparent on the outside and give the building a very open character. The upper floors are also glazed though the facade here is of glass with a blue screenprint. The irregular but rhythmically recessed window openings create a lively structure, especially at night. The larger upper part of the building appears to float above the ground.

Glass, steel and great transparency are the most striking features of the Bernoulliborg faculty building for mathematics, physics and computer sciences at the University of Groningen. A highly modern institute building that underlines the rational character of the faculty but also satisfies environmental aspects was built in a very short space of time. Interstuhl was able to meet the requirements by supplying almost 500 Sputnik and Younico models and at the same time send a design message in these demanding surroundings.

Frankness and individuality!
The aesthetics of the frankness and lightness are continued on the inside. Inner courtyards, numerous glazed areas and light colours make the building appear friendly and inviting, the consistent linearity makes for order and clarity. This type of ambience naturally needs furniture that embodies the same spirit in terms of form and content. The Sputnik chairs from Interstuhl are in their element here. White plastic shells and white frames are accentuated by vividly coloured seat upholstery. The interior design is thus intelligently continued in the seats and leads to an additional concentration of the atmosphere. But the decision in favour of chair models from interstuhl was taken not only according to aesthetic and functional criteria. The reliability of interstuhl and the quality of the products, expressed through their great longevity, were particularly important for the customer. A further and extremely important decision criteria was the environmental aspect that spoke for Sputnik and Younico, and not least the EMAS certification which played an important role in the decision.

Sputnik - non-conformist with charisma
Refreshingly unconventional and forward-looking in design. Innovative in the choice of materials. Convincing in its performance. Sputnik is at home wherever an appetite for representation and a delight in one's on work, the need to be different and the need to communicate with others come together. Better too cheeky than too boring; better to have risked too much than to have won too little. It's hardly surprising that a chair that was inspired by such an attitude breaks new ground in terms of design and material. What is most striking in this context is the competent and self-assured use of plastic, consistently exploiting the progress made over the past years in polymer technology. An office chair can hardly be any more purist than Sputnik in its purely plastic version. Of course, anyone who doesn't want to miss the comfort of upholstery does not have to go without. Sputnik is not quite as purist in this case, but just as appealing thanks to the attractive coverings.

Architektur: De Zwarte Hond