Aorta Centre of Architecture Utrecht,

Visiting- and postal adress Achter de Dom 14 3512 JP Utrecht Information T 0031 30 232 1686 F 0031 30 232 1390 E aorta@aorta.nu (general questions) E tours@aorta.nu (tours / Aorta support / reservations) Aorta Centre of Architecture Utrecht is accessible by phone: Mo till Fr 9:00 17:00 h Sa 13:00 17:00 h

Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, by Herman Hertzberger

City hall, by Enric Miralles

Spanish temparament and Dutch Soberness Duration: circa 1.5 hrs Utrechts town hall has an age-long history. The administration of the city of Utrecht has been seated at this location for over 650 years. In the course of time, ten medieval buildings and city castles were interconnected and still form the core of the premises. The result was an overly compact and impenetrable labyrinth with many different floor levels. In 1997 the local government commissioned Spanish architect Enric Miralles (1955 2000) to design a building that was open, transparent and inviting. The aim was to combine the existing monumental parts, which were to be renovated, with a new wing. Miralles combined modern architectural ideas with the historical elements in a very personal way. The main entrance was moved; it now is located in the external wall that for centuries had been the back of the premises. In the process, this relocation resulted in the formation of a new square. The architects signature is equally visible in the interior. He designed, for example, the lamps and benches that can be found throughout the premises, and also the furniture in the council chamber. The historical structure of the interconnected medieval buildings has been made visible in various ways.

University Museum, Utrecht

The first item of the University Museum that grabs your attention is the glass box in the front faade. A glassed-in corridor runs the length of the building, giving an immense feeling of space. Entering the museum garden, the Old Hortus, the greenhouses leap immediately to the eye. Also the 18th century orangeries and botanic laboratory are interesting buildings reminding of the early years of the Old Hortus. A former orangery is now a garden-fronted caf. The museum is a building in super modernistic style, with functional elements. Super modernism originates with a minimalistic design and the use of materials like glass, concrete and steel. The museum function determines the form of the building: using glass makes the Old Hortus visible from the street as well and the box construction is excessively suited to fit up expositions. In 1997 Dutch architect Koen van Velsen won the prestigious Rietveldprijs and Archinormprijs for the sublime box-in-a-box concept. Opening Hours Mon Sun: 11am 5pm Closed on New Years Day, Queens Day and Christmas Day. Entrance Fees Adults 7,Up to 18 years 3,50 Upas, student card, 65+, CJP 50% discount Family discount 19 Two adults and two children up to 17 years, each child extra 50% discount Free entrance Museumkaart, students and employees of the University Utrecht. Tours 1-hour tour 90-minute tour Lange Nieuwstraat 106 3512 PN Utrecht T: (+31) 30 253 87 28 E: info@museum.uu.nl

40* 55*

Central museum Utrecht

Confrontation in the historical museum quarter Duration: circa 1.5 hrs The main theme of this walking tour is contemporary architecture in the very peaceful southern part of the inner city, the so-called museum quarter. By combining funds from the EU with the input of inhabitants, entrepreneurs, museums, cultural organisations and private investors, the local government has cast a new light on the cultural heritage of this area. Part of the project was the restoration of the unique wharf cellars, the refurbishment of the Old Canal and the opening up of many hidden courtyards and almshouses. Attention will also be paid to modern extensions of museums and art galleries, as for example the extension of the University Museum by Koen van Velsen, the extension and re-routing of the Catharijneconvent museum by Hubert Jan Henket, the Central Museum (Beel en Achtergael) and the restoration of former 16th century city rampart (now an observatory) Sonnenburg. This tour will also focus on the issue of new developments in a historical city with monuments and urban conservation areas, illustrated by the domestic residence of architect Robert van den Hout (winner of the Rietveld Prize 2001), and the apartments in the former church of St. Martin. opening hours and admission open: Centraal Museum: Tue - Sun 11.00 - 17.00h dick bruna house: Tue - Sun 10.00 - 17.00h closed: All buildings: Mon, 1 January, 30 April & 25 December admission: Free: children under 12, CM-club and Museumkaart pass holders On tuesdays free admission for U-pass holders 4,-: youth aged 13-17, CJP, Cultuurkaart, students 7,50: 65+, U-pass, groups of 10 people or more 9,-: 18-64

University Library innercity, by Grosfeld van der Velde Architects

This new library shows about eight kilometres of books. The library is established in the former working-palace of Lodewijk Napoleon. The whole building contains six national monuments. Whereas the old houses were inaccessible, the new building makes this old palace now accessible for everyone. The entrance and the Grande Galerie are now the beating heart of this complex and are an important meeting point for visitors and students. Grosfeld van der Velde, architect of the new building, has deliberately chosen for a clear materialisation and colours, composing an unity in the building. Moreover youll find a special attention for details, on behalf of the monumental atmosphere. Text from architects web side: The former palace of Louis Bonaparte built in 1807, situated on the Drift in the historic city centre of Utrecht, has undergone a total redesign over recent years. The first and most prominent part of the Universiteitsbibliotheek Binnenstad (University Library City Centre) and the main entrance to the Drift cluster on the Drift are now complete. The library accommodates an 8.5 kilometre collection and 350 study desks and carrels. Over the coming years, work on the adjoining section will go ahead with the same intensity and ambition until the UB Binnenstad takes final shape. The whole complex contains six buildings with listed status that served primarily as book stores and archives. The buildings were architecturally very dated and neglected. As a result of numerous alterations made over the years, the original structure and character of the buildings had been lost. As the architects, Grosfeld van der Velde is responsible for the design, which has been produced in close consultation with DHV (detailed drawings and project management). The design was based on the concept of creating a natural meeting place for education and research, for employees and students, and for the university and the city in the heart of the Drift Cluster. A place where students and books take centre stage. The core values for the identity and perception of the complex include accessible, transparent, inviting, representative and restful. In addition to providing a functional and pragmatic solution for the programme of requirements, the design accentuates the intrinsic qualities and spatial layout of the different buildings, each of which has its own strengths and complements the others. The materials, details and colour scheme have been specifically chosen to draw the buildings together to create a unified whole. Particular attention has also been paid to integrating the complex installation techniques and the design of the interior components, such as study desks and carrels, search terminals, the library counter and fittings specifically developed for this project. Most of the study areas are situated at the front of the library and the collection is at right angles to the front of the building in an open arrangement. This makes the building light and transparent and encourages interaction. It creates a studious, attractive work environment where students can walk in and around the collection at their leisure and where there is space to meet for informal contact. The heart of the complex is the entrance to the library that has a new layout and design that naturally complements the existing building, enhancing the traditional features while creating a new, modern presence for the Universiteitsbibliotheek Binnenstad. University Library City Centre +31 30 253 61 15 Address: Drift 27, Utrecht. On weekdays until 7 p.m., the library can also be accessed via Wittevrouwenstraat 7-11 Normal opening hours: Mon - Fri 8.00 a.m. (desk: 9.00 a.m.) - 10.30 p.m., Sat and Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Media Plaza, by 123DV Architecture

The Jaarbeurs is one of the biggest trade fair sites in the Netherlands and is located in the centre of Utrecht. The architects 123DV from Rotterdam were responsible for the design and furnishing of all rooms. The themes of Ice and Fire give the Media Plaza a highly individual identity, with the themes applied to all the rooms by the use of colours, lighting, materials and form. The unique aspect of this project is that the lighting equipment enables each room to be immersed in a different colour environment, allowing its atmosphere and ambience to be individualised by the use of lighting effects. The colours were selected on the basis of colour psychology theory. Thonet supplied a range of different chairs for this project. The Media Plaza foundation was established in 1997 by the Netherlands government and other bodies with the aim of stimulating innovation. Media Plaza organises innovative interactive seminars, congresses, workshops, master classes and round tables. Text from architects webside: Concept The slogan of Media Plaza is `innovation leads to inspiration. This is reflected in the design. We envisioned an environment that stimulates creativity. An environment where people can create their own atmosphere and mood for meetings and presentations. Session rooms The session rooms are equipped with a span ceiling that contains an RGB light, which can adapt any color. The floor, walls and furniture are completely white. This way the entire space adapts the color of the lighting. Customers can create their own ambiance of a `corporate colored environment. Main conference room This large conference room is equipped with a transparent (ETFE air cushion) roof including retractable screens. Therefore, the appearance of the room can easily change from a dimmed presentation room into a space filled with daylight. Inspired by ancient amphitheaters, its possible to have meetings under the `open sky. A central multi projection and camera unit allows interactive projections on all four walls. Different presentation layouts are possible like a podium, multi presentation or catwalk layout. Foyer In contrast with the conference and session rooms, which are designed in white and aluminum, the foyer is designed in dark intense colors, black, red and orange. The choice of materials and colors is based on the theme `fire and ice. To intensify the experience of the space, materials were chosen which look hard but feel soft. The walls are clad in orange skai leather. The floor has a black rubber finish. The glass doors of the main conference room have a foil on them which makes them change color as you pass by. The exterior of the walls which enclose the main conference room are clad in 7000 stainless steel tiles and are designed as a huge chandelier. Media Plaza congress centre Address: Jaarbeurs complex, Utrecht, The Netherlands Normal opening hours:

Restaurant divinatio, by 123DV Architecture

Fish restaurant Divinatio is located at the historical harbour of Utrecht, The Netherlands. The objective was to realize a restaurant with a maritime feel for the upper segment of the market. The building is designed to be functional. The contrasts -rough on the outside and smooth on the inside - have been translated in the design. The interior has to appeal to a broad and contemporary group, without discouraging the more traditional public. The visibility lines create oversight and views and the niches create a feeling of intimacy. When choosing the materials, Liong Lie (the architect) took both the visual as tangible effects into account. Leather, blue glass and Corian have been used in the design. The open kitchen is framed in white Corian. Text from restaurants webside: Hours: Lunch: Monday to Friday from 12:00 hours. Dinner: Monday through Saturday from 18:00. Accessibility: Due to the architectural character of the property, and thus present stairs in our building there is Divinatio difficult for disabled or wheelchair users. You have questions about this, please contact us at 030 294 in December 1926.

Restaurant divinatio Address: Veilinghavenkade 14, 3521 AK Utrecht, Netherlands