Roofs that let students live, play sports and relax
In a city like Amsterdam, space is always a challenge. Especially for students, who are often looking for affordable housing as well as a place to exercise, relax and meet others. At Student Experience, they show how to cleverly combine those challenges, by literally using the roof as extra living space.
What started as a modern housing concept for students has now become an inspiring example of multifunctional use of space. On top of the Student Experience buildings, you won't find technical installations or bare flat roofs, but sports and relaxation spaces that contribute to health, vitality and connection.
A roof that does more than protect - it enriches student life.
Smart use of scarce space
The pressure on the city is growing, especially in Amsterdam. Affordable housing, sufficient sports facilities and space for greenery are scarce. Student Experience responds to this by combining living space with extra facilities - not only within the buildings, but also on top of them.
Their student campuses not only offer independent studios and collective spaces, but also an active rooftop. On those rooftops you will find, among other things: ✔ Outdoor fitness and sports facilities ✔ Basketball and volleyball courts BBQ areas and seating areas ✔ Green areas and relaxation spots ✔ Running tracks and calisthenics spots
This literally creates extra space for vitality and meeting, without taking up floor space.
From roof to meeting place
What Student Experience cleverly does is to see the roof not as residual space, but as a fully-fledged place for students to meet, move and unwind. In busy city districts where outdoor space is scarce, the roof becomes the place where students can retreat from the urban frenzy for a while.
By making sports and leisure accessible on the roof: ✔ Health and exercise is promoted, accessible and close by ✔ Creates social connection between students, crucial for well-being ✔ Is mental pressure reduced, by literally creating space for relaxation ✔ The roof contributes to the appearance and livability of the building and the neighbourhood
In view of the pressure many students experience: housing, study, social connection, s this is not an unnecessary luxury, but a conscious choice for quality of life.
"On the roof of Student Experience everything comes together: living, moving and connecting."
Concrete example: Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven
One of Student Experience's most famous locations is the campus at Minervahaven in Amsterdam. Here, a sports field, seating areas and relaxation areas have been created on the roof, among other things. Here, students can exercise together at height, relax or simply enjoy the view over the city.
The smart design of the roof not only contributes to living comfort, but also to the feeling of safety, social cohesion and vitality. Moreover, the addition of greenery provides cooling and the roof contributes to the building's climate adaptation.
Multifunctional roofs as the new standard
Student Experience shows that multifunctional roofs are not only suitable for sports parks or business parks, but are also perfectly applicable in residential complexes, especially in an urban context.
Their approach proves that: ✔ Roofs can contribute to the health and well-being of residents ✔ Scarce space can be used smartly without taking up land ✔ Green, sport and meeting go hand in hand, also at height Buildings become more attractive and future-proof with multifunctional roofs
For municipalities, developers and educational institutions, this offers valuable insights. With the growth of cities and the focus on healthy living environments, creative use of space is becoming increasingly important.
What can we learn from this?
The opportunities for multifunctional roofs are also there for the taking outside Amsterdam. Especially in other student cities, such as Utrecht, Groningen, Rotterdam or Eindhoven, where affordable housing and space for sports and welfare are constantly under pressure.
Imagine:
- Student complexes with sports fields and rooftop greenery
- Combining living, exercise and relaxation at height
- Roofs that are not just functional, but contribute to health and livability
- Neighbourhoods where roofs help decongest and green public spaces
Student Experience shows: a roof is not a limitation, but an opportunity.