“The home of the goblins” they call it. That’s what Amsterdam University students whisper about the UvA PC Hoofthuis. This imposing grey building stands proudly on Spuistraat. It’s a striking sight. A large grey block with many levels and windows.
The UvA PC Hoofthuis isn’t just a building. It’s a piece of Amsterdam’s history. Its story begins long before its construction between 1976 and 1983. The spot where it stands held the Hooft family home. Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft a famous historian poet and playwright lived there. The building is named in his honour.
The building’s design is a testament to the collaboration and conflict of two architectural giants. Aldo Van Eyck and Theo Bosch worked together. Their partnership ended in 1982 due to design disagreements. Bosch finished the building alone in 1983. It’s considered his masterpiece.
The UvA PC Hoofthuis boasts a unique design. Lecture halls line the corridors. Originally they were open. Students could wander listening to bits of different lectures. The plan changed. The noise proved disruptive. Glass walls now separate halls from the corridors.
Inside the UvA PC Hoofthuis lectures are held on seven floors. Offices and departments are also housed within. Parts of the Arts Library are located on the first and second floors. There’s even a study centre a canteen and a fitness centre.
The UvA PC Hoofthuis has witnessed history. Students occupied it in 2018 during protests. Its very existence reflects the tensions between progress and preservation. It’s a symbol of Amsterdam’s vibrant academic life and its ongoing evolution. It’s a place where learning and debate collide. Its unique architecture continues to spark conversation.
The UvA PC Hoofthuis is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to Amsterdam’s rich past and its dynamic present. It’s a building with a story to tell. A story that continues to unfold.