The Experience Center in Nijmegen reimagines an underused outdoor area and a renovated building into a dynamic hub for Radboudumc researchers, students, staff and conference visitors. Designed by EGM architects, the five‑storey centre stitches education, research and public engagement together around a 12‑metre atrium that functions as the social heart of the campus.

Accessed from Geert Grooteplein, a sculpted bank of bleachers—shaped as a tilted disc—leads down to a covered square and an adjacent Innovation Park. The bleachers provide informal seating, a viewing gallery for events and a setting that encourages chance encounters. From the coffee bar and airy balconies users can look out over the activity below; the continuous glazed façade keeps campus life visible and connected.

Program spaces include a congress auditorium, meeting and conference rooms, lecture theatres and classrooms, a clinical training centre with skills and simulation labs, a “reading room 2.0” and an extensive library. The Innovation Park hosts Health Innovation Labs that collaborate on sustainable healthcare solutions. Inside, all building systems and AV installations were replaced with the latest technical and digital equipment to support teaching, simulation and events.

The new undulating façade integrates a freestanding theatre and the formerly neglected outdoor space is roofed to become a lively internal plaza. Situated between the historic Huize Heijendaal and the visitor car park beneath Geert Grooteplein, the building both respects its context and projects a contemporary identity for the campus.

Design: EGM architects
Engineers: Aronsohn
Project Managers: BBC Bouwmanagement
Landscape Architects: Copijn
Contractors: Cornelissen
Engineers: Deerns
Photography: Scagliola + Brakkee