Education, arts & culture

As we celebrate 25 years in the Netherlands, we reflect on how our partnerships and collaborations with our clients have helped shape the education and arts & culture sectors—creating inspiring spaces for learning, creativity, and community engagement.

Education

The education sector in the Netherlands faces growing challenges, including increasing student populations, shifting teaching methodologies, and the need for carbon-neutral campuses.

We collaborate with Dutch institutions to meet these challenges through integrated design and engineering expertise. For TU Delft’s Echo building, we delivered multidisciplinary services, creating an energy-positive, carbon-neutral facility with adaptable teaching spaces, advanced ventilation, and green façades. At the University of Twente, our work on a transformative academic building (ITC) emphasised a robust, climate-responsive design, prioritising energy efficiency, flexible use, and an optimal indoor climate.

Our services include building physics, sustainable design, fire safety, acoustics, and renewable energy integration, helping institutions build resilient, inspiring learning spaces that meet todays and tomorrow’s needs.

Arts & culture

The arts and culture sector is essential to the Netherlands, serving as a foundation for community building and international appeal. Iconic buildings and cultural institutions provide spaces for expression, connection, and innovation, shaping the unique identities of our cities.

Challenges in sustainability

The sector faces the challenge of balancing the historical value of monumental buildings with the need for energy efficiency, all within tight financial constraints. Additionally, technical solutions must ensure optimal conditions for artworks and exhibitions.

Our contribution

Over the past 25 years, Arup has played a key role in transforming iconic cultural buildings, combining expertise in acoustics, sustainability, mechanical and electrical engineering, and lighting design.

At the Zuidplein Theatre our acoustic work has enhanced visitor experiences, whilst our lighting designs have helped bring art to life at the Voorlinden Stedlijk and Rijksumseum.

Through sustainable strategies at Mauritshuis, structural innovation in LocHal, and multidisciplinary renovations like Stadstheater Arnhem, we continue to support the Dutch arts and culture sector in creating inspiring places for generations to come.