CHEOPS’ eighth lustrum kicks off today with blue donuts handed out during the lunch break. In the evening, the Built Environment study association is hosting a pub quiz, and many more activities are planned through December 12. Most of these are aimed at or exclusively for Built Environment students and staff, but the lustrum party on November 28—and the symposium—are open to everyone.

Stuedents Anne Komdeur and Sven Vreuls (pictured on the green bench in the main photo) began preparing for the Vertigo Party a year ago. It’s a good thing the lustrum party committee has fourteen members: they’ve booked no fewr than fifteen bands and artists, are handling all promotion without using paper flyers, and are creating decorations that match the Dizzling Dreams theme while being both sustainable and fire-safe. Komdeur and Vreuls themselves are in charge of the cloakroom, volunteers, lighting and sound, beverage supply, cleaning, permits, and safety.

Safety, in particular, takes up a lot of time, says Vreuls. “It’s easier to host a party outdoors. We’re using floors -2, -1, and 1, and we have to make sure partygoers don’t wander into other parts of Vertigo. That means closing off every unused room individually. We’re hoping for about a thousand guests—and for all of them to get home safely.”

Flamethrower

The committee has already had at least five meetings with the fire department. “They’re very strict, and that’s a good thing,” Komdeur says. “They even said they’ll come by with a flamethrower right before the party to test whether our decorations are truly fireproof.”

The students also have to meet requirements set by both the Municipality of Eindhoven and the Department of the Built Environment. These include the use of fire-retardant or fireproof materials, sufficient escape routes for the number of guests, overall event safety, and sustainability. “So no disposable cardboard cup holders. Luckily, we already have a stock of reusable cups thanks to the annual Plugged festivals at the Koeveld.”

According to Vreuls, he has weekly meetings with building manager Tom van Aarle. “He’s been incredibly supportive and always thinks along with us. We’re really grateful for his help.”

Three floors of partying

The committee envisions a multi-floor celebration on Friday, November 28: house and techno music in Vertigo’s bike cellar, live bands on the Plaza one floor up, and party hits from the seventies to today in the Skybar Underground on floor -2. Some wishes had to be dropped, such as smoke machines for laser shows, a silent disco, and use of the atrium on floors 5 and up. “We’ve learned that getting a thousand people to safely party inside a building takes an enormous amount of planning,” the organizers say.

For the next lustrum committee, Komdeur and Vreuls have two pieces of advice: “Start early. Prepare to hear ‘No, that’s not possible.’ But also know that organizing such an amazing party is absolutely worth it.”

Tickets are still available, and volunteers are still welcome.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.