It would appear unlikely that a University Faculty’s decision making regarding student seating be driven by contemporary aesthetics, however such is the case for the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geo Sciences at Delft University. The SAYL chairs are now installed in the newly refurbished library, re-branded the Study and Documentation Centre (StuDoc), where students can now study using their laptops and access documentation from several thousand archived books.

1. Delft University of Technology
Design and environmental credentials drive
procurement agenda
Topic:
Design Innovation
Environment
Refurbishment
Application:
Study and Documentation
Centre (StuDoc),
Faculty of Civil Engineering
and Geo Sciences
Project Scope:
74 Chairs
Herman Miller Product:
SAYL® Chairs
Sector:
Education
I
t would appear unlikely that a library, re-branded the Study and create a more open and collaborative
University Faculty’s decision Documentation Centre (StuDoc), learning environment. Sharp colour
making regarding student where students can now study has been injected to the interior
seating be driven by contemporary using their laptops and access design that contrasts strikingly
aesthetics, however such is the case documentation from several against the grey structural features
for the Faculty of Civil Engineering thousand archived books. of the original stonework, creating
and Geo Sciences at Delft University. a modern, more contemporary feel
Seventy four SAYL chairs are now OIII Architects in Amsterdam, to the area, and more conducive to
installed in the newly refurbished already commissioned to design current learning methods.
the expansion and renovation of
the ground and first floor of the CEG Eric Wezenberg from OIII was
Faculty commencing in September instantly drawn to SAYL at Orgatec in
2011, were briefed to modernise the 2010, it was for him, the ideal fit for
existing library. It needed to provide the StuDoc project. The theme of the
more study space and computer Golden Gate Bridge in the thinking
access for the students - many behind the design seemed perfectly
books have been moved to the main apt to have as study chair for civil
central library freeing up space for engineering students. Yet it was not
open study. only the originality and relevance
of the design that made SAYL an
OIII’s architectural vision was to obvious choice – the Faculty needed
establish a theme of transparency in a chair that could offer comfort, ease
the new study centre, one that would of use but could also complement
Case Study / 2011

2. the environmental ideology within ‘Herman Miller’s Cradle to Cradle The official opening took place
the main renovation project. Within certification of SAYL in conjunction on 26th April, hosted by Louis de
the StuDoc refurbishment, OIII with the innovative, unique design Quelerij, Dean of the CEG Faculty and
have deliberately retained key made this our only choice of chair attended by the Facilities team, OIII
structural features to complement for this project’ comments Eric. Architects and the students involved
the environmental thinking behind ‘We wanted a chair not only with in the project. It was completed in
the interior design. These include the the right look but also the correct only six months and has successfully
original concrete structural pillars sustainability and ergonomic paved the way for the architectural
and the natural stone flooring at the credentials’ design to be fully embedded as
entrance to the study area. the expansion of the main building
In fact, the Facilities Management moves ahead.
team were prepared to negotiate with
“Herman Miller’s their procurement department to
Cradle to Cradle include Herman Miller in the supplier
shortlist so they could include SAYL
certification in this refurbishment.
of SAYL in
conjunction with ‘The students are really pleased
with the end result,’ comments
the innovative, Yvette Brijs, Project Manager,
unique design Facilities Management and Real
Estate at the CEG Faculty. ‘They
made this our only now have the space to study and
choice of chair for access to more documentation in
this project” a fresh and modern study centre.
The SAYL chair really contributes
to an atmosphere of contemporary
Eric Wezenberg,
study combining technology with
OIII Architects
traditional research.’
For further information please visit: http://www.tudelft.nl/
SAYL, Herman Miller and y are registered trademarks of Herman Miller, Inc.
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS | Methuen Park | Chippenham sn14 0gf | UK | t +44 845 2267201 | f +44 845 4309250
Delft Case Study / 2