Faculty of Mechanical Engineering opens brand-new teaching square
This academic year, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is welcoming more than 900 first-year students. Providing all these students with suitable spaces for group projects is a challenge each year. By making clever use of the existing space in the faculty building, an entirely new teaching square has been established for the start of the new academic year.
As it is not possible to add an extension or annex to the monumental faculty building, solutions had to be found to accommodate all the students and employees within the existing walls. The new teaching square is located on a completely new floor in the F wing, above the Bicycle Lab. Previously, this was a huge open space housing the autonomous vehicles of the Cognitive Robotics Department, among other things. With the completion of the new Robotics Lab, the vehicles were moved and this space became available. To make the best use of this hall, it was decided to build an additional floor, which now houses the new teaching square.
A quiet, open and well-lit learning space
Shielded by giant whiteboards and soundproof curtains, 16 tables have been placed for group projects. ‘The square is specially designed for project-based learning, there is also plenty of space for the parts and tools needed for the projects studnets are working on. The space is quieter and there are hardly any distractions from students walking through, so discussions at the project tables can take place in a peaceful environment,’ says Ann van Dam, manager of education and student affairs. With the arrival of these project tables, the tables in the lecture hall can now be used for their intended purpose: as meeting points rather than project tables.
Another advantage of the new square, according to Rene Delfos, director of studies at Mechanical Engineering, is its central location in the building: ‘It is surrounded by the offices of PhD students and researchers, and it is situated among various laboratories. In other words, it is right in the heart of scientific activity and the organisation. So there is a strong connection with all the exciting research going on here.’
Initially, the new learning spaces will be used for project-based learning for first-year Mechanical Engineering students. When project work is not scheduled, the spaces can be used for self-study, similar to G-0.
Far-reaching project with minimal disruption
With the arrival of an entirely new floor and the shift away from autonomous vehicles, there is now room to expand or renovate research areas. ‘Beneath the teaching square, there is now space for an expansion of the Bicycle Lab, a renovation of the Minimally Invasive Surgery and Interventional Techniques lab and a brand-new Micro and Nano Fabrication lab for the Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering,’ says Theo de Leede, project leader. After three quarters of a year and with all the challenges that this entails, De Leede is proud of the whole team who, in an intensive learning and research environment, have carried out this rather far-reaching project without too much disruption. ‘The shop remained open as usual during this major refurbishment. During the summer holidays, we put the finishing touches on the hub and worked extra hard so that everything is ready just before the start of the academic year.’
The square is specially designed for project-based learning, there is also plenty of space for the parts and tools needed for the projects studnets are working on.
Ann van Dam, manager of Education and Student Affairs