The Ed

Turning an outdated building into a new student complex with 148 units? Challenge accepted.
After bringing Wauwhaus to life for Cores Development in collaboration with BAM (construction) and Huizenbeheer Maastricht (management) a few years ago, Zinc Real Estate reached out to us to develop a new student complex in Maastricht.
Turning an outdated building into a new student complex with 148 units? Challenge accepted.
After bringing Wauwhaus to life for Cores Development in collaboration with BAM (construction) and Huizenbeheer Maastricht (management) a few years ago, Zinc Real Estate reached out to us to develop a new student complex in Maastricht.
Turning an outdated building into a new student complex with 148 units? Challenge accepted.
After bringing Wauwhaus to life for Cores Development in collaboration with BAM (construction) and Huizenbeheer Maastricht (management) a few years ago, Zinc Real Estate reached out to us to develop a new student complex in Maastricht.
Turning an outdated building into a new student complex with 148 units? Challenge accepted.
After bringing Wauwhaus to life for Cores Development in collaboration with BAM (construction) and Huizenbeheer Maastricht (management) a few years ago, Zinc Real Estate reached out to us to develop a new student complex in Maastricht.
Turning an outdated building into a new student complex with 148 units? Challenge accepted.
After bringing Wauwhaus to life for Cores Development in collaboration with BAM (construction) and Huizenbeheer Maastricht (management) a few years ago, Zinc Real Estate reached out to us to develop a new student complex in Maastricht.


































It all kicked off in November 2023 with a day trip to Maastricht alongside Zinc and Huizenbeheer Maastricht. We visited Wauwhaus to give Zinc a first-hand look at our previous student design, while Huizenbeheer shared their on-the-ground experience and evolution over the years. That transparency between partners didn’t just inspire Zinc—it gave us fresh insight into how students live, what they need, and how design can shape that experience.
It all kicked off in November 2023 with a day trip to Maastricht alongside Zinc and Huizenbeheer Maastricht. We visited Wauwhaus to give Zinc a first-hand look at our previous student design, while Huizenbeheer shared their on-the-ground experience and evolution over the years. That transparency between partners didn’t just inspire Zinc—it gave us fresh insight into how students live, what they need, and how design can shape that experience.
It all kicked off in November 2023 with a day trip to Maastricht alongside Zinc and Huizenbeheer Maastricht. We visited Wauwhaus to give Zinc a first-hand look at our previous student design, while Huizenbeheer shared their on-the-ground experience and evolution over the years. That transparency between partners didn’t just inspire Zinc—it gave us fresh insight into how students live, what they need, and how design can shape that experience.
It all kicked off in November 2023 with a day trip to Maastricht alongside Zinc and Huizenbeheer Maastricht. We visited Wauwhaus to give Zinc a first-hand look at our previous student design, while Huizenbeheer shared their on-the-ground experience and evolution over the years. That transparency between partners didn’t just inspire Zinc—it gave us fresh insight into how students live, what they need, and how design can shape that experience.
It all kicked off in November 2023 with a day trip to Maastricht alongside Zinc and Huizenbeheer Maastricht. We visited Wauwhaus to give Zinc a first-hand look at our previous student design, while Huizenbeheer shared their on-the-ground experience and evolution over the years. That transparency between partners didn’t just inspire Zinc—it gave us fresh insight into how students live, what they need, and how design can shape that experience.
Designing for Gen Z (and making the case for it)
The result?
The Ed, a grungy, expressive, and community-driven student building that breaks with convention. When we first revealed the design concept, eyebrows were raised. “Shouldn’t we go for something more timeless?” Zinc owner Bob van den Bichelaer asked out loud. With raw concrete ceilings, blue neon lights, colored tiles in bedrooms, and fluorescent posters, our approach was unapologetically bold. But Zinc and Huizenbeheer decided to trust our vision.
Designing for Gen Z (and making the case for it)
The result?
The Ed, a grungy, expressive, and community-driven student building that breaks with convention. When we first revealed the design concept, eyebrows were raised. “Shouldn’t we go for something more timeless?” Zinc owner Bob van den Bichelaer asked out loud. With raw concrete ceilings, blue neon lights, colored tiles in bedrooms, and fluorescent posters, our approach was unapologetically bold. But Zinc and Huizenbeheer decided to trust our vision.
Designing for Gen Z (and making the case for it)
The result?
The Ed, a grungy, expressive, and community-driven student building that breaks with convention. When we first revealed the design concept, eyebrows were raised. “Shouldn’t we go for something more timeless?” Zinc owner Bob van den Bichelaer asked out loud. With raw concrete ceilings, blue neon lights, colored tiles in bedrooms, and fluorescent posters, our approach was unapologetically bold. But Zinc and Huizenbeheer decided to trust our vision.
Designing for Gen Z (and making the case for it)
The result?
The Ed, a grungy, expressive, and community-driven student building that breaks with convention. When we first revealed the design concept, eyebrows were raised. “Shouldn’t we go for something more timeless?” Zinc owner Bob van den Bichelaer asked out loud. With raw concrete ceilings, blue neon lights, colored tiles in bedrooms, and fluorescent posters, our approach was unapologetically bold. But Zinc and Huizenbeheer decided to trust our vision.
Designing for Gen Z (and making the case for it)
The result?
The Ed, a grungy, expressive, and community-driven student building that breaks with convention. When we first revealed the design concept, eyebrows were raised. “Shouldn’t we go for something more timeless?” Zinc owner Bob van den Bichelaer asked out loud. With raw concrete ceilings, blue neon lights, colored tiles in bedrooms, and fluorescent posters, our approach was unapologetically bold. But Zinc and Huizenbeheer decided to trust our vision.






































































The process was intense—decisions had to be made fast, and the timeline was unforgiving. A standard, one-size-fits-all design was never an option. We deliberately pushed for a raw, grungy underground aesthetic that not only resonates with the Gen Z mindset, but also made smart use of the building’s existing features, like exposed concrete walls and ceilings.By leaning into what the space already offered, we were able to allocate more budget to areas where it would really make a difference: public zones, custom light blue cabinetry paired with a grey-green carpet floor, bold lighting choices, classic bordeaux canteen chairs with chrome legs, and of course—the fluorescent green Ed poster, a playful nod to underground party flyers.
The process was intense—decisions had to be made fast, and the timeline was unforgiving. A standard, one-size-fits-all design was never an option. We deliberately pushed for a raw, grungy underground aesthetic that not only resonates with the Gen Z mindset, but also made smart use of the building’s existing features, like exposed concrete walls and ceilings.By leaning into what the space already offered, we were able to allocate more budget to areas where it would really make a difference: public zones, custom light blue cabinetry paired with a grey-green carpet floor, bold lighting choices, classic bordeaux canteen chairs with chrome legs, and of course—the fluorescent green Ed poster, a playful nod to underground party flyers.



The process was intense—decisions had to be made fast, and the timeline was unforgiving. A standard, one-size-fits-all design was never an option. We deliberately pushed for a raw, grungy underground aesthetic that not only resonates with the Gen Z mindset, but also made smart use of the building’s existing features, like exposed concrete walls and ceilings.By leaning into what the space already offered, we were able to allocate more budget to areas where it would really make a difference: public zones, custom light blue cabinetry paired with a grey-green carpet floor, bold lighting choices, classic bordeaux canteen chairs with chrome legs, and of course—the fluorescent green Ed poster, a playful nod to underground party flyers.
The process was intense—decisions had to be made fast, and the timeline was unforgiving. A standard, one-size-fits-all design was never an option. We deliberately pushed for a raw, grungy underground aesthetic that not only resonates with the Gen Z mindset, but also made smart use of the building’s existing features, like exposed concrete walls and ceilings.By leaning into what the space already offered, we were able to allocate more budget to areas where it would really make a difference: public zones, custom light blue cabinetry paired with a grey-green carpet floor, bold lighting choices, classic bordeaux canteen chairs with chrome legs, and of course—the fluorescent green Ed poster, a playful nod to underground party flyers.


The process was intense—decisions had to be made fast, and the timeline was unforgiving. A standard, one-size-fits-all design was never an option. We deliberately pushed for a raw, grungy underground aesthetic that not only resonates with the Gen Z mindset, but also made smart use of the building’s existing features, like exposed concrete walls and ceilings.By leaning into what the space already offered, we were able to allocate more budget to areas where it would really make a difference: public zones, custom light blue cabinetry paired with a grey-green carpet floor, bold lighting choices, classic bordeaux canteen chairs with chrome legs, and of course—the fluorescent green Ed poster, a playful nod to underground party flyers.





















Fully booked on render alone
Despite the tight budget and the quick turnaround—keys in December 2023, launch in September 2024—The Ed looks anything but rushed. Thanks to razor-sharp planning, BAM began demolition the day of handover, and when the final nails were in place, our Creneau team arrived with five trucks of custom furniture.
Fully booked on render alone
Despite the tight budget and the quick turnaround—keys in December 2023, launch in September 2024—The Ed looks anything but rushed. Thanks to razor-sharp planning, BAM began demolition the day of handover, and when the final nails were in place, our Creneau team arrived with five trucks of custom furniture.
Fully booked on render alone
Despite the tight budget and the quick turnaround—keys in December 2023, launch in September 2024—The Ed looks anything but rushed. Thanks to razor-sharp planning, BAM began demolition the day of handover, and when the final nails were in place, our Creneau team arrived with five trucks of custom furniture.
Fully booked on render alone
Despite the tight budget and the quick turnaround—keys in December 2023, launch in September 2024—The Ed looks anything but rushed. Thanks to razor-sharp planning, BAM began demolition the day of handover, and when the final nails were in place, our Creneau team arrived with five trucks of custom furniture.
Fully booked on render alone
Despite the tight budget and the quick turnaround—keys in December 2023, launch in September 2024—The Ed looks anything but rushed. Thanks to razor-sharp planning, BAM began demolition the day of handover, and when the final nails were in place, our Creneau team arrived with five trucks of custom furniture.










































Community & collab
The Ed isn’t just a building—it’s a Gen Z hub. Each resident becomes an Eddy, living their best chaotic Eddy life in spaces like Chill-Ed (cinema pit + ping pong), Pump-Ed (fitness), and a study zone. We teamed up with Amber Gyselings and Buro Muro to create edgy posters that were pasted on the walls guerrilla-style—just like street flyers. And yes, students are already reusing the iconic green Ed storage crates as bike baskets.
Community & collab
The Ed isn’t just a building—it’s a Gen Z hub. Each resident becomes an Eddy, living their best chaotic Eddy life in spaces like Chill-Ed (cinema pit + ping pong), Pump-Ed (fitness), and a study zone. We teamed up with Amber Gyselings and Buro Muro to create edgy posters that were pasted on the walls guerrilla-style—just like street flyers. And yes, students are already reusing the iconic green Ed storage crates as bike baskets.



Community & collab
The Ed isn’t just a building—it’s a Gen Z hub. Each resident becomes an Eddy, living their best chaotic Eddy life in spaces like Chill-Ed (cinema pit + ping pong), Pump-Ed (fitness), and a study zone. We teamed up with Amber Gyselings and Buro Muro to create edgy posters that were pasted on the walls guerrilla-style—just like street flyers. And yes, students are already reusing the iconic green Ed storage crates as bike baskets.
Community & collab
The Ed isn’t just a building—it’s a Gen Z hub. Each resident becomes an Eddy, living their best chaotic Eddy life in spaces like Chill-Ed (cinema pit + ping pong), Pump-Ed (fitness), and a study zone. We teamed up with Amber Gyselings and Buro Muro to create edgy posters that were pasted on the walls guerrilla-style—just like street flyers. And yes, students are already reusing the iconic green Ed storage crates as bike baskets.


Community & collab
The Ed isn’t just a building—it’s a Gen Z hub. Each resident becomes an Eddy, living their best chaotic Eddy life in spaces like Chill-Ed (cinema pit + ping pong), Pump-Ed (fitness), and a study zone. We teamed up with Amber Gyselings and Buro Muro to create edgy posters that were pasted on the walls guerrilla-style—just like street flyers. And yes, students are already reusing the iconic green Ed storage crates as bike baskets.









































To add even more energy to the story, we organized a photo and video shoot from Creneau that captures this chaotic student life in all its glory. Have a look! 😊
To add even more energy to the story, we organized a photo and video shoot from Creneau that captures this chaotic student life in all its glory. Have a look! 😊
To add even more energy to the story, we organized a photo and video shoot from Creneau that captures this chaotic student life in all its glory. Have a look! 😊
To add even more energy to the story, we organized a photo and video shoot from Creneau that captures this chaotic student life in all its glory. Have a look! 😊
To add even more energy to the story, we organized a photo and video shoot from Creneau that captures this chaotic student life in all its glory. Have a look! 😊