The renovation of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University is a leading example of circular, health-focused interior design. Guided from the start by the 10 R’s of circular building, the project prioritized Reduce, Reuse and Renew while delivering a modern, functional environment for students, researchers, veterinarians and staff engaged in interdisciplinary Life Sciences research.

Extensive audits identified reusable building elements: shelving was transformed into lockers, glass partitions and furniture were adapted and reinstalled, and loose furniture was predominantly sourced as second‑life, refurbished or biobased. All changes were recorded in the BIM model with a materials passport to simplify future reuse. The interior is fully demountable and designed for disassembly; components with similar lifespans are paired to ease future replacements. Low‑impact, low‑emission materials with long lifespans were selected to reduce environmental impact and total cost of ownership.

Sustainability also targets occupant health and well‑being. Natural, recycled materials, abundant daylight and views—absent in the original buildings—improve comfort, vitality and performance, reducing absenteeism and boosting work satisfaction. The design process was highly participatory: layered workshops with clinicians, researchers and students shaped layout, routing, openness, acoustics and room clustering. This resulted in a diverse spatial program—from lively central meeting “living rooms” to quiet work zones—supporting activity‑based working and a wide range of collaboration modes.

Identity and craft are embedded throughout: animal-inspired forms and parametrically designed organic ceilings, dedicated display vitrines for prized items, and acoustical elements referencing nature create a distinctive, motivating atmosphere. Overall, the project demonstrates how circular renovation can combine low environmental impact, operational resilience and an inspiring, healthful setting for research and education.

Design: EGM architects
Design Team: Roemer Pierik, Willeke Smit, Hans de Man, Ido Holtkamp, John Bothof, Johnno Peters, Leo Visser, Pieter Korstanje, Rik van Rijckevorsel, Sophie Borgdorff, Sylwia Kolodko, Wessel van Elburg, Yannick Hoogstrate
Contractor: Pieters Bouwtechniek
Main Contractor: Koninklijke Kuijpers
Photography: Stijn Poelstra