Leiden University named a building after a woman for the first time

In Leiden, the renovated building of the Faculty of Humanities has been officially opened. The building on the Witte Singel, named Herta Mohr, is light and open, with great attention to sustainability. The name is unique: for the first time, a Leiden University building bears the name of a woman.

Herta Mohr (1915–1945), a Leiden student of Jewish descent who studied medicine and Egyptology, was chosen after a vote among staff and students. Mohr became known for her research on Egyptian tombs, but her life was tragically interrupted when she was deported to West Berlin in 1942 and later to Bergen-Belsen, where she died shortly before liberation. Her name symbolises intellectual and cultural exchange, befitting the spirit of the faculty.

The new building, designed by the architecture firm De Zwarte Hond, has been impressively remodeled. The complex, consisting of seven buildings and two courtyards, was outdated and no longer met environmental standards. Its narrow corridors and dense walls are now completely enclosed. This building will be replaced by a large central atrium, creating an open, bright space that encourages meeting and collaboration.

Vice president Martijn Ridderbos emphasised the sustainability aspects of the building during the opening: ‘This is an old building in a new guise.’ The new construction reuses materials from the old building, such as wooden ceiling slats and iconic recycled mushroom pillars, symbolically supporting the idea that everyone carries the building together.

The architecture of the building has been improved not only in terms of its structure but also in its connection with its surroundings. Architect Bart van Kampen was commissioned to better connect the building to the city. This has resulted in a glass façade, an inviting entrance, and a square with greenery. The planters will soon be planted with biodiverse greenery that attracts bees and insects.
The building also has sustainable features such as solar panels and green roofs that filter particulate matter and reduce heat stress. Van Kampen believes this reduces CO2 emissions and creates a healthier cityscape.

The opening was celebrated by thousands of staff, students, and other guests. Speaking at the ceremony, Dean Mark Rutgers said, ‘From Asia to Africa, we study much of the world here.' The building and the name Herta Mohr are symbols of the meetings and exchange of ideas that make this faculty so rich.

Alderman Fleur Spijker also highlighted the importance of the renovation: ‘This open building strengthens the connection between the university and the city.’ This place is a place that invites collaboration and meetings.’ With this transformation, Leiden University is taking an important step toward a sustainable and inclusive future in which Herta Mohr's legacy remains alive in the hearts of students and staff.

You can find out more about Herta Mohr and her legacy on the university's website.

The original article was published on seutelstad.nl on October 9, 2024.