UG Buildings: the Heymans Building

The University of Groningen as we know it now is more than the Academy Building alone. In this series, based on the podwalk and the booklet In het spoor van de Academie (in Dutch only), we are putting a spotlight on various buildings—and a work of art—of the UG and their histories. In this episode: the Heymans Building.

In the 1960s, the UG had plans to build a large university campus for the Faculties of Arts, Law, and Theology on this site. As a result, the entire botanical garden Hortus Botanicus was relocated to Haren in 1966, along with the biology department. The University has since divested itself of the Hortus Haren, and the biologists have moved to Zernike Campus on the north side of town. The remaining plans concerning the Hortus complex were only partially implemented, partly due to strong protests from the neighbourhood.

The prominent, tall white building was completed in 1967. It was called the Alfa Building at the time and thousands of arts students attended lectures there. In the late 1980s, the Faculty of Arts moved to the Harmonie Building in the city centre. The UG’s social scientists took over their place. Subsequently, the premises became the main building of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, housing 800 staff members and 4,500 students. It was named after the greatest social scientist of Groningen and perhaps even of the Netherlands: Gerardus Heymans. He is considered the founder of Dutch psychology.

Behind the Heymans Building a beautiful garden can still be found; the remnant of the Hortus. The little park is freely accessible if the gate on the right side of the building is open. A walking route is also available online.

Want to find out more?

Check our overview page for the editions on the Academy Building, the Ubbo Emmius monument, the University Library, the Röling Building, the former Laboratory for Hygiene, the former Astronomy Laboratory, the Institute of Archaeology, the House with the 13 Temples, the Old Courthouse, the Main Administrative Building and the Faculty of Philosophy.

Are you interested in the buildings and history of the UG? You can download the podwalk ‘In the footsteps of the Academy’ for free. Go to the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android) and search for ‘Op stap met Aletta’. At the I-shop (University Shop), the walking guide In het spoor van de Academie (Dutch only) is available for €9.95: www.rug.nl/winkel.