Soft ochre yellow sofas, a long wooden work table, green plants and a cosy theatre: the brand new HZ Community Hub is the living room of location Edisonweg. Meeting is central in this multifunctional space.
Liana Pekaar and Huub Jagers talk about the cooperation that led to the new HZ Community Hub. From the first sketch to the grand opening.
November 2022: Opening Student Success Centre
In November 2022, the Student Success Centre (SSC) opened at location Edisonweg in Vlissingen. The SSC is a meeting place for and by students. Students can come here for advice and help to make their studies a success. Student Buddies are ready to give them advice, tips and training. Soon, the space proved too small and the ambitions too big. From the various communities, the need arose to create a larger space within the HZ campus where various initiatives could come together: the Student Buddies of the SSC, workshops from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), film screenings from HZ Cult and much more. The search for a larger space began.
February 2023: Brainstorming session and mood board for the new HZ Community Hub
Parallel to that quest was the process of bringing all communities within HZ together under one umbrella. HZ Cult, HZ Sport, HZ Vitality, SDG Events, HZ Green Office and the SSC all now fall under the HZ Community. This team joins forces to create a diverse range of activities for students. This parallel process fits perfectly with ambition 4 from the institution's plan: we are a vibrant community for all parties. "That ambition is only strengthened by having both a Community team and a Community Hub," says Liana.
Together, the newly formed HZ Community team and Liana looked at the needs and possibilities for the new HZ Community Hub. "When you study here for four years and walk around almost every day, it is so important that you can do this in a pleasant and warm environment," says Liana. This idea fits the so-called ‘sticky campus’. An educational environment where you want to stick around after your class or work because the right facilities are there and because you feel comfortable here. "I think we all have that vision too," says Huub. "A pleasant and safe environment, the right support and having a good time alongside your studies or work."
When you study and walk around here almost every day for four years, it is important that you can do this in a pleasant and warm environment.
Summer 2023: Exploratory session with design firm
In the summer of 2023, the first exploratory session with the design firm took place to actually start shaping the new HZ Community Hub. Huub and his team looked at the needs from the HZ Community: a space that is large enough to host various activities, that has an inviting and homely feel and that is easily visible and findable. "The amazing thing is that the HZ Community team itself sat at the drawing board," Huub explains. "We made a sketch of how we envisioned the space. In the end, 80% of that sketch became reality."
Drawing from her expertise as facilities manager, Liana asked practical questions about the sketch. How does that work in terms of acoustics, organising different activities in one room? How do you deal with the multiple functionalities of the space from a structural point of view? What conditions must the space meet to ensure the safety of students and staff? And what about the maintenance and accessibility of the space? "Everyone looks at what is needed from their own expertise," says Liana. "I really enjoyed seeing the creativity of Huub and his team during the realisation process of the HZ Community Hub."
February 2024: Renovation of classrooms in the L-corridor
In February 2024, the time had come: the renovation of classroom into HZ Community Hub could begin. Walls were stripped, the floor was taken out and a partition wall was broken open to enlarge the space. Due to the tight labour market, the renovation was delayed. The delivery of building materials and furniture took longer than expected and certain products were no longer available at all.
During this process, Liana and Huub kept each other well informed. Sometimes, due to scarcity or changed delivery times, they suddenly had to move quickly and make new choices. "We wanted to invest consciously. What room do we have in terms of budget and what is the maximum we can achieve with it?" says Liana. "An interesting process, because every choice you make is very delibarate and has to be well-founded."
The HZ Community Hub really meets the needs of students and staff alike.
May 2024: HZ Community Hub ready for use
After several weeks of demolishing, painting and furnishing, the HZ Community Hub was ready for use. There is a cosy theatre corner that you can close off with velvet curtains. Here you can watch films or give presentations. Next to it is a large work table where you can work as a project group or play a game together. There are also several seating corners where you can plop down informally on the couch or work with your laptop at a small table. "The HZ Community Hub really meets the needs of students and staff alike," says Huub. "It is a large space, but the different corners make it very cosy and warm. You can really retreat here during a busy study or working day."
Finally, the lights could be switched on and the doors opened. The HZ Community team got to work to organise the festive opening a few weeks later. Yet even before the official opening, the space was occupied by both students and staff. "That was the best compliment," says Liana. "In a very natural way, people already knew how to find their way to the HZ Community Hub."
June 2024: Grand opening HZ Community Hub
On Thursday June 20, the HZ Community proudly opened the brand new HZ Community Hub at the Edisonweg in Vlissingen. Students and staff were invited to get acquainted with the multi-purpose space and discover all that HZ Community has to offer. The Student Buddies of the SSC were on hand to answer questions from fellow students and Huub gave a speech about the vision for the HZ Community Hub from his role as coordinator. A space that everyone can use, where everyone is welcome and where everyone can contribute ideas.
No matter which HZ location you study or work at, you always know where to go for activities, support or connection.
The future
Currently, the HZ Community team is busy putting together a varied programme of activities. The entire programme should contribute to the student's well-being. Think of a relaxing film screening in the theatre corner or a training on stress resistance around the big work table.
The ambition is to create an HZ Community Hub in Middelburg as well. ‘Students in Het Groene Woud naturally have the same needs as those on Edisonweg,’ says Huub. "It is important to get the HZ Community both visibly and physically in Het Groene Woud." Liana nods in agreement: "The idea is that no matter which location of the HZ you study or work at, you always know where to go for activities, support or connection."
