The Conservatorium van Amsterdam is the music division of the Amsterdam University of the Arts, the city's vocational university of arts. This Conservatory is the largest music academy in the Netherlands, offering programs in classical music, jazz, pop, early music, music education, and opera. Since April 21, 2008, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam has its home in this new building at the Oosterdokseiland, near Amsterdam Central Station. The new building is centrally located in a cultural area, including the 'Muziekgebouw' with three concert halls for classical music and jazz, and the public library. The design, by Dutch architect Frits van Dongen, is based on the 'Engawa model', the Japanese way of building, where the corridors are situated next to the outer walls of the building and the concert halls, classrooms and study rooms, within. Large windows in the front transmits sufficient daylight into the rooms. This building method is intended to enable students to study without being disturbed, while corridors keep noises out.

Make sure you view the pictures in *original* size for the sharpest image (see size-options under each photo)!