Park MORE (Leiden Bio Science Park)

A vibrant entrance area

A new entrance area to Leiden Bio Science Park is being developed around the University Sports Centre. Paul de Ruiter Architects and VenhoevenCS, commissioned by Yisheng Development, designed MORE: a campus entrance area where living, working, studying, and relaxing converge. The name refers to Thomas More, the 16th-century philosopher who outlined the ideal society in his book Utopia. This vision—shared facilities over individual ownership, and a strong sense of community—inspired the plan. These values are clearly reflected in MORE: a contemporary, inclusive community where shared spaces and collective facilities take center stage. MORE comprises approximately 1,100 rental units and a hotel for students, young professionals, and university staff. Approximately 700 units are intended for students, while some of the 400 regular units are reserved for international university staff. A rich mix of amenities—restaurants, shops, sports clubs, co-working spaces, communal areas, and gardens—promotes interaction and knowledge exchange. Thanks to the MicroCity concept, MORE is partially self-sufficient and reduces the pressure on infrastructure. The area is largely car-free; cars park in the public parking garage on the west side of the entrance, while pedestrians and cyclists have ample space. The design answers questions like: How do you ensure that expats who are only staying in Leiden for a short time feel immediately at home? How do you create a place for students – often living in student housing for the first time – where they feel connected to the community? And how do you make this entrance area a natural part of the city?

A green environment for living, working, and studying

The campus is a place where people naturally meet, both day and night. Park MORE's three-story plinths facilitate this: sports clubs, restaurants, work and study areas are combined with entrance lobbies and access to bicycle parking. Comfort is paramount in the residences: significant attention has been paid to daylight, natural ventilation, and a healthy indoor climate. This focus on well-being continues outdoors in Park MORE's nature-inclusive design. There is ample space for trees, plants, and water, allowing birds, fish, and other wildlife to thrive. The lower floors offer space for green facades, creating a healthy ecosystem. Communal gardens, green roofs, and transitional areas are accessible to everyone and each has its own character through a variety of plants, materials, and subtle height differences. The roofscape also contributes to this vibrancy: terraces and gardens invite relaxation, greenhouses encourage small-scale urban agriculture, and sedum plants are combined with solar panels on the highest roofs. This creates a green, climate-conscious and pleasant living environment where exercise, relaxation and social contact occur naturally, and where people, flora and fauna all feel equally at ease.