Zernike Campus Opens New Housing Complex With 401 Available Rooms
Zernike Campus Opens New Housing Complex With 401 Available Rooms
Proxima opens on Zernike Campus with new housing solution for international students in Groningen.
Yesterday, July 12th, the first student housing complex on Zernike Campus, named Proxima, held its official opening with a festive ceremony. Project developer Jebber symbolically handed over the key to SSH, the student housing organisation. Proxima can accommodate 401 students, with the capacity to expand to 802 during peak periods at the beginning of the academic year, addressing the annual housing shortage faced by international students in Groningen.
During the opening event, attendees toured the 18m² rooms, each equipped with two beds, one of which is a fold-out. This setup helps with the annual room shortage for international students: allowing students to book the fold-out bed if they haven’t found a room yet, sharing temporarily while they continue their search. Roommates are matched based on gender, and both standard and peak accommodation beds can be booked via SSH’s website.
Addressing Housing Needs
The construction of Proxima responds to the urgent need for extra housing for international students in Groningen. Alderman Rik van Niejenhuis praised the opening, calling it:
“A significant step towards Zernike’s vision as a vibrant district encompassing living, working, business, facilities, and studying.”
Proxima was rapidly built thanks to cooperation between the Municipality of Groningen and SSH. It serves international students at the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences. The complex features communal kitchens, a shared laundry room, and green spaces for summer activities.
Support from Student Union and University
Ken Hesselink, chairman of the Groninger Studentenbond (GSb), expressed optimism for the first students moving in this August.
“This will greatly help students. We appreciate the efforts of all involved organisations,” Hesselink said.
Hans Biemans, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board at the University of Groningen, highlighted the addition of 401 rooms, scalable during peak periods, aligning with the university and city’s vision of hospitality.
“Students have the option of sharing rooms, fitting our vision and that of the Municipality of Groningen. We are a hospitable city and university, where there is room for everyone who wants to study during the most formative time of their lives.”
Construction and Future Plans
Proxima was built by Plegt-Vos Noord for SSH, using biobased wooden living modules designed and assembled at Plegt-Vos’s factory, minimising construction time and local disruption. The modular method allows future disassembly and relocation.
The Municipality of Groningen has a 10-year agreement with SSH for temporary housing on Zernike Campus, located near Zernike Park and Koegangen. This collaboration with the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences aims to address the housing needs of international students effectively.