“It’s an intricate puzzle we have to solve with little money.” That’s how director of Real Estate Management ir. Veronique Marks describes the preparations for the renovation of the Hoofdgebouw that’s planned for 2015. The building needs to be completely empty by the end of 2014. “And the only thing we know is that ID will be moving to Laplace. CEC and ICT Services may move to Matrix. In three months, however, the pieces of the puzzle will be where they belong.”

Project leader ir. Caroline Koot is working on the Hoofdgebouw puzzle, and she stresses there will be meetings with everyone involved. “It’s not just Industrial Design that needs another home; there are many others who need a new place as well. The Executive Board isn’t even sure where to put up everyone.”

After this complex operation, Real Estate Management wants to start on the replacement of asbestos-containing materials that are found in the top floors of the Hoofdgebouw, especially. Ir. Mirjam van Rooij is in charge of the renovation of the Hoofdgebouw. “The superstructure will be stripped to the concrete structure. The substructure was renovated only last century, so that will contain much less asbestos and demolition won’t be as rigorous there.”

From 2016 through 2018, the building will be prepared for its future residents: the Departments of Industrial Design (ID) and Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS), supporting services, and the University Club. The architect, who is yet to be appointed, will study the mutual relations between these parties, as well as their relationship with the rest of campus, before they’ll decide who will be housed on which floor. It hasn’t been decided where the 1,800 students of the two departments will attend their lectures yet, either.

The moves on campus will start in June.