Academiegebouw

English translation

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Description

Introduction

UNIVERSITY BUILDING of the University of Utrecht, built in 1891-1894, with associated extensions, particularly from the period 1917-1924. The main building, located at the south-east corner of Domplein, was donated by Utrecht citizens on the occasion of the University's 250th anniversary. The design by E.H. Gugel and F.J. Nieuwenhuis in neo-Renaissance was preceded by a national debate, in which the choice between neo-gothic and neo-Renaissance was given political significance.

The executed design for the Academy Building was fitted between existing buildings: on the north side the cloister passage of the Dom and on the east side the chapter hall of the Dom and the old senate chamber, separated from the chapter hall by a passage that runs through its buttresses and leads to the former claustral house Achter de Dom 7. The senate chamber was demolished in 1917, the more extensive new construction, designed by J.H. Hermelink, including the new senate chamber was taken into use in 1924. The complex was coupled over time to a large number of surrounding properties.

Description

The front facing Domplein is determined by two wings at right angles to each other (the left on the north side: Building component a and the right on the west side: Building component b), with, in the recessed corner, the diagonally placed main entrance. Because two other wings more or less in the extension of these two join (a short one on the south side, building component c and a substantial one on the east side, building component d), the front part of the building has an irregular cruciform shape. At the crossing, opposite the entrance, a monumental staircase is placed. The wing running eastward from the crossing (d) forms the backbone of the complex; on the east side a short wing joins to the left (building component e), thus enclosing a small, now covered inner courtyard, making the separately protected cloister passage of the Dom accessible and the medieval former chapter hall of the Dom incorporated in the Academy Building, now Aula.

On the south-east side, the new construction from 1917-1924 adjoins (building component f) with a hall, also forming a staircase, from which the senate chamber located on the floor above is accessible.

The building mass is supplemented with various small annexes, making other buildings accessible via numerous passages, some independently protected, not belonging to the complex of the Academy Building.

The mentioned building components of the Academy Building have two storeys. Wings a and b have gabled roofs with end pediments, wing c has a gabled roof ending against a gable, wing d has a gabled roof with a narrow flat as top and is converted to the gabled roof of wing e, which projects above the cloister passage with a stepped gable. The mentioned gabled roofs carry tiles, with the exception of the roof pediments facing Domplein, which are covered with slates. Building component f has two, slightly differing in height, flat roofs. The diagonally placed entrance bay has a rich gable and a through-roof eave running to the crossing, where a rich roof ridge turret stands. The end pediments facing Domplein have a rich roof dormer, various roof pediments carry chimneys with bands and natural stone cappings and roof dormers with shutters and piron.

The decoration of the facades is markedly different. On the south-west side the facades are blind or almost blind with corner blocks and drip moulding. The facades facing the inner courtyard, between wings a, d and e, are executed in restrained neo-Renaissance design. The south facade of wing d facing the garden is similar, but on the left the facade recedes somewhat under a large round arch for the window bay with stained glass of the diagonally placed staircase. The facades of building component f, including the new senate chamber, are executed in sober design.

The front facades facing Domplein are very richly executed in brick, natural and artificial stone and plasterwork. Both wings with hardstone plinths, are four window axes wide, with natural stone cross windows, on the ground floor under basket arches with shell motifs, on the upper floor under triangular pediments. Between the storeys a frieze with cartouche ornaments. Under the cornice, on a round arch frieze, a tall frieze with plastered decorations, including neo-Renaissance motifs and, between the windows, portrait medallions worked in gold of famous scholars, whose names are mentioned on cartouches in the adjacent pediments. The medallions were executed by E.A.F. Bourgenjon according to design by E. Lacomblé.

The diagonally located entrance bay, with a front steps modified in 1993, projects out and has a natural stone main frame with pediment on pilasters with a two-line poem by J. van Vliet in the frieze, above it in the pediment the helmeted head of Pallas Athena. The upper floor has above the entrance a balcony with natural stone balustrade, upon which lions bearing shields. The glass door of the balcony is incorporated in a substantial three-light with fanlights, above which a triangular pediment, containing a bust of the young Queen Wilhelmina by F. Leenhoff. In the cornice running over the entire front facade, here corniced, the year 1893. The rich gable above this contains sculpture by W. Mengelberg, including the Dutch coat of arms and the university coat of arms.

The gable ends of both wings facing the square have plastered bands, on the ground floor a niche with shell ornament and grotesque decorations, on the upper floor a cross window and two medallions.

The interior contains, besides various lecture halls, a number of representative rooms, notably the senate chamber and the former lecture hall to the left of the entrance fitted out in 1949 for receptions, in which the 17th-century fireplace with grisaille from the old senate chamber has been reinstalled. The new senate chamber from 1917-1924 has a rich neo-Renaissance fireplace and against the walls portrait series of professors, which previously adorned the old senate chamber. The staircase, with representative stairs, has a ceiling painting by G. Sturm from 1894, depicting Pallas Athena with the five faculties. The stained glass windows from 1894 are designed by A.J. Derkinderen, depicting the Utrecht Maiden City offering the Academy Building to the University. The bust of Queen Wilhelmina, by Bart van Hove, designed for the front steps, is now located in the senate chamber. In the space next to the inner courtyard a stained glass window was placed in 1936 as a jubilee gift. Besides numerous other valuable interior details, the doors and woodwork deserve mention.

Valuation

University building from 1891-1894, with associated later extensions of general importance because of the architectural-historical value as an intact example of rich neo-Renaissance and as part of the commission series of the University and because of the cultural-historical value in relation to the late 19th-century style debate.