Marga Klompé Building, designed by Powerhouse Company, is the first college building in Europe to be entirely constructed from solid wood. The new, nearly energy-neutral complex is situated on a plot of land measuring 33 by 33 meters, within the forested campus of Tilburg University. The building accommodates a foyer, 1 auditorium, 13 lecture halls, and self-study spaces for approximately 1,000 students. Its distinctive architecture pays homage to the monumental Cobbenhagen Building on the campus while also serving as a model for the highly sustainable ambitions of university campuses in Europe.

The design seamlessly integrates with the modernist architecture of the Tilburg University campus. Its circular ambitions are reflected in the renewable nature of its wooden construction, walls, floors, stairs, frames, and finishes. A unique dry construction system has been implemented, utilizing wooden ribbed floors—CTL floors reinforced with beams—that enable large free spans meeting the high acoustic requirements necessary for the program. The Portuguese natural stone facade, featuring deep reveals, directly references the iconic 1962 Cobbenhagen Building by Jos Bedaux. The natural stone, with its long lifespan and ability to be disassembled, confirms the circular ambitions. The stony volume harmonizes with the surrounding architecture, forming an intriguing contrast with the lush wooded environment. The all-encompassing building is integrated into the campus and marks the entrance from the station.

Powerhouse Company took the Cobbenhagen Building as a starting point for spatial qualities but brought the design into the 21st century by opting for a palette of natural, circular materials such as wood, terrazzo, and plasterwork. These materials are prominently featured and contribute to a serene atmosphere, from the spacious lecture halls to the intimate alcoves by the windows. Additionally, wooden furniture has been used to enhance the tranquil study spaces.

Marga Klompé Building is designed with the latest insights in sustainability based on the Trias Energetica principle, including very low energy consumption and smart use of natural resources. Strategically placed openings ensure a stable indoor climate without additional energy consumption. A well-insulated building envelope does the rest for a passive contribution to low energy usage. For this purpose, a special material has been chosen: the insulation partly consists of recycled denim jeans. Textile waste that would otherwise be incinerated is now used to create cotton insulation. It is sustainable and has proven to be an excellent way to improve the building's acoustic comfort.

Careful consideration has been given to how building installations can contribute optimally to circularity. Thanks to the thoughtful design, it has an impressive circular assessment with an MPG score of 0.5, a BCI score of 0.61, and an MCI score of 72%.