Commissioned by Leiden University, De Zwarte Hond has completed the circular renovation and extension of the former Cluster Zuid building, which houses the Faculty of Humanities. Designed by architect Joop van Stigt in the late 1970s, Cluster Zuid is an impressive example of structuralist architecture. It was re-inaugurated as Herta Mohr. The newly renovated building now offers 11,400 sq m of space, including car parking, more than 700 teaching spaces, self-study areas, two lecture theatres, work and meeting rooms, and common areas. It also houses the libraries of Leiden’s African Studies Centre and the Middle Eastern Studies program.
Cluster Zuid originally consisted of seven separate ‘houses,’ which made orientation within the building difficult. The two courtyards were very similar, and the narrow alleyways left the interior spaces dark. The small windows, some with wired glass, and the dark ceilings created a closed and gloomy atmosphere.
To address this, the central house was demolished and replaced with a new, large central area that brings in plenty of daylight. This change allows for better orientation within the building, and the bright atrium creates a cohesive, open environment. New diagonal sightlines were introduced from the existing houses to the central heart. The second floor was entirely renovated, and an eighth house with an anodised aluminium facade was added on the Maliebaan side, a structure that was part of Van Stigt’s original design but had never been built.
Sustainability was a key priority in the renovation of this building. High-quality materials with low emissions of unhealthy substances were selected throughout, and the building has now earned a BREEAM Excellent certification. Additionally, insulation, solar panels, and a heat/cold storage system were incorporated, and new efficient installations were added to meet the building’s high sustainability standards. Due to the limitations of the existing structure, the second floor was removed, and a completely new structure was built on top. This intervention has effectively combined the separate ‘houses’ into a unified whole, with the technical installations seamlessly integrated.
