Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven has obtained the following awards:

2021 – Best Student Housing Property (The Class Foundation)
2021 – Best Sustainable Student Property (The Class Foundation)

Student Experience has received the following awards:

2023 - Best Environmental Management (GSL)
2024 - Best Environmental Management (GSL)
2025 - Student Coliving (Coliving Awards)

Read more about our awards and certificates here.

Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven has been rewarded with the BREEAM-NL Excellent certificate and BREEAM-NL In-use certificate, making it the most sustainable student complex in Europe. Read more about BREEAM here.

During construction, the contractor adhered to the Conscious Builders Code of Conduct. This code of conduct offers the entire project team, from carpenter to project manager, tools to work consciously, with an eye for the surroundings, the environment, safety, and with less disruption.

All wood used comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests.

Smart building management systems control, monitor, and optimize various installations in the complex through sensors. If a sensor reports unusual data, such as leakage or abnormal temperatures, the BMS will trigger an alarm.

The complex is powered by solar panels that cover the entire east, south and west side of the facade, and account for a large part of the complex's yearly energy.

A thermal energy storage system has been put in place to store energy for later use. It captures excess heat and cold produced by other installations in the complex, which can later be used to heat or cool the complex or generate power.

This complex does not rely on gas for its energy needs. Instead, we use alternative energy sources such as electricity, solar power, and other renewable sources, which reduce our environmental impact.

We source collective energy for our complexes with Energielive, our sustainable energy consultant. We receive monthly reports from them that show our energy consumption and CO2 emissions, among other things.

High-efficiency thermal insulation has been used in the complex’s facades, walls, roofs, floors, terraces, etc., which results in lower energy consumption, minimized energy losses, and reduced CO2 emissions.

Double glazing with low emissivity treatment is used to achieve a higher thermal insulation. It also provides solar control, taking advantage of solar radiation in winter while limiting the same heat in warmer seasons.

Traveling to different floors by elevator can be done in an eco-friendly way. The elevators installed use minimal energy, no harmful hydraulic oils or lubricants, and have a built-in stand-by mode.

The green courtyard and the rooftop terraces are filled with local plant species that promote biodiversity and attract local fauna.

On the water-storing roof, sedum planting is used to collect excess water.

12 insect hotels have been installed in the courtyard, 4 bat boxes are placed on one side of the complex, and on the upper roof terrace, there's a nest box for Peregrine Falcons.

Each feature is closely monitored by an external party that researches growth in biodiversity. In the latest report of 2023, they concluded that the green areas and insect hotels have been attracting fauna such as mason bees, bumble bees, butterflies, and wagtail birds.

An efficient air conditioning system with heat recovery is installed in the complex, from which up to 70% of the energy used can be recovered. 

In addition to this, the system cleans and purifies the air before distributing it into the studios, ensuring healthier air.

You'll find LED lights in the entire complex. The efficient lighting system adjusts to the occupancy of each space, adapts to the user's needs, and has a dimming system that optimizes the use of natural light.

To minimize light pollution, the lights of the complex are dimmed as much as possible between 10 PM and 6 AM.

Students can enjoy abundant daylight in spacious outdoor spaces, such as the rooftop terraces and sports field, and bright indoor spaces, such as the lounge and coffee corner.

Our fully furnished studios are designed to complement the dynamic lifestyle of today’s students and cater to the eco-conscious mindset of this generation.

By providing fully furnished studios with high-quality furnishings, we eliminate the necessity for students to purchase new items. This not only reduces the consumption of virgin resources but also minimizes the purchase of items for short-term use, contributing to a more sustainable and mindful approach.

Students are encouraged to use shared transportation and minimize their CO2 emissions. They can use the shared bicycles, e-bikes, and e-cars available in the complex for a small fee.

At the TULU smart rental unit, you can rent handy and non-regular-use items, such as a vacuum cleaner, game consoles, board games, and more. For a small fee, students can rent these items whenever they need them, which minimizes the need to purchase new items for short-term use.

Upon arrival at the studio, a welcome package, including a reusable water bottle from Join the Pipe, awaits the students to inspire them to buy less bottled water and instead drink water from the tap.

Student Experience Amsterdam Minervahaven is equipped with a water-storing roof that retains water and delays runoff. This reduces flooding during extreme rainfall and relieves the sewer systems. Dirty water and rainwater are separated. Rainwater is directly channeled back into the harbor to relieve the sewer system further.

Students are encouraged to separate their waste, recycle materials such as glass and paper, and dispose of them in the designated containers in the recycling room and garbage room. Through informative articles about sustainability and waste separation, we aim to help students create eco-friendly habits.

We've partnered up with Hello Energy to become more involved with sustainability. On the screen in the lounge, you can see real-time energy usage and sustainability data of the complex. Additionally, Hello Energy organizes challenges aimed at creating eco-friendly habits and awareness.

Several sports facilities can be found in and around the complex to promote a healthy lifestyle: a gym and rooftop sports field. Together with FC Urban, weekly football matches are organized on the rooftop sports field. Join us for one of our sports events, such as boot camps, yoga sessions, or Zumba classes.

On our news page, we share weekly articles about different topics such as well-being and sustainability and practical guides that help students settle into their new homes.

We organize events with students and for students, based on their needs and interests. From Rooftop Movie Nights and football matches to flea markets and social drinks, all events have the shared goal of bringing students together.

Students can participate in sustainability events such as flea markets, vegan cooking classes, and clothing swap parties and join online challenges to minimize their ecological footprint and become more mindful of their habits.

Every day from 6 AM - 10 PM a duty manager is present. During the night, you can rely on the security guard. In addition, security cameras are present at various locations in and around the complex.

The Student Experience team strives to offer a personalized approach to any question or request.

Duty managers aim to recognize all students by name and face to make them feel at home in the complex.

Selected with both durability and sustainability in mind, our staff’s clothing is made from high-quality, organic cotton and dyed without azo-dyes.