History of a Unique Complex
Between 1899 and 1901, architect Willem Cornelis Metzelaar brought his father’s vision to life in Haarlem—a dome prison called De Koepel that echoed similar structures he’d already built in Breda and Arnhem. Its four rings once held 240 prisoners, and the building earned national monument status while still functioning. When budget cuts led to its closure in 2016, it briefly sheltered Syrian refugees before transforming into something entirely different: in 2019, a partnership between the municipality, Panopticon foundation, and SRH Group established an educational campus here, with André van Stigt’s renovation opening up cells and expanding windows throughout the dome.
Educational Vector
Renovations began in 2020, and two years later Global School for Entrepreneurship opened its doors within these historic walls. What emerged wasn’t just classrooms—the complex now holds a startup incubator, coworking spaces, and Cupola Café, while a basement cinema called FilmKoepel screens both arthouse and commercial films across six halls. Regional developer ROM InWest became the first tenant even before classes started, and today the site functions as Haarlem Campus, where this modern university creates its own ecosystem.
Events and Networking at Haarlem Campus
The campus sits minutes from Haarlem’s center, close enough that students bike or walk between lectures and city streets using the on-site rental system. Short distances between buildings and residence blocks mean less time commuting, while combining study and living spaces within one complex creates something like a self-contained college town. SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences hosts conferences on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity workshops, and cultural events that build an ecosystem where students, entrepreneurs, and researchers exchange ideas naturally—networking becomes as routine as attending lectures.
