Honored: The Cube by International Campus wins the Coliving Award
Distinctive new building in Utrecht offers 639 microapartments for students under THE FIZZ brand
“It is our most spectacular new building so far. We take pride in the recognition of this unique architecture, which is designed to ensure the well-being of its residents and visitors”, says Rainer Nonnengässer, Chief Executive Officer at International Campus Group (IC). In the international Coliving Awards competition, the company, which specialises in temporary living concepts, won the category Building & Architecture with its project The Cube in the Dutch city of Utrecht. The modern property, which will be opening its doors in autumn 2021, features 639 student apartments. The Cube is a joint development by IC, Van Wijnen and Rockfield Real Estate. It will be operated by IC under the brand THE FIZZ.
Lead Judge Matthias Hollwich showed himself already impressed by the project during the nomination: “The exterior carving in the volume with access stairs, amenity programs, and roof terraces break down the building mass with identity generating quality, while socially connecting all levels of the building. The cube is like a city within the city, where people of all backgrounds come together. This is a winning concept.”
Architecture for a sustainable, active and healthy lifestyle
The cube-shaped building features two stepped towers of 15 storeys each. Not only will it be the tallest building in the green district of Overvecht; its striking architecture will also make it the new landmark of the neighbourhood. Plenty of greenery in its indoor and outdoor spaces, a sports ground and a workout room in the building as well as in the courtyard, roof gardens, light-flooded rooms and various communal areas invite the residents to enjoy an active and sociable lifestyle. With these features, it realises the aspiration of the city of Utrecht to promote healthy urban living.
“Architecture directly impacts the way we feel. Recognising the important role the cube plays in the students’ social and academic success, it was designed to focus on well-being, community, social integration, creativity and connectivity”, explains Nonnengässer.
In February 2021, THE FIZZ Prague already won the prestigious architecture award “Best of Realty 2020” in the hotel category. “It is wonderful to see that our aim of creating student housing in an atmosphere that is architecturally as well as socially and functionally sophisticated has been confirmed by the positive feedback from the community”, says Nonnengässer.
The Coliving Awards were presented for the first time on 6 May 2021, in the context of the Co-Liv Summit. Winners were selected in eleven categories from among more than 100 submitted projects. The winners were determined by a public voting process on social media, a multi-member jury and the main juror of the respective category. The impressive building in Utrecht was already the frontrunner in the public voting process, with 40 percent of all votes for the category Building & Architecture.
