room for play
Het Landje public elementary school
The "Het Landje" primary school in the centre of Rotterdam was in dire need of additional space for quite some time. Following an extensive search for an appropriate location for an extension, the former building of the Hildernisseschool on the Schiedamse Vest, just opposite the main building of the primary school was refurbished. The existing building, with its comparatively generous dimensions, offered more space and possibilities than any new building would have.
The Hildernisseschool was built in 1968 as an extension to the older, adjacent school building, designed by municipal engineers. The architectural language of the existing building avoided all references to its function as a building for children; however, its rational structure, consisting of concrete columns, beams and floors, made it highly suitable for transformation.
After the refurbishment the outer and inner appearance of the building have been radically changed. The skin of the building was insulated and plastered, integrating an additional volume on the roof. All windows were replaced and the roof was insulated and covered with vegetation.
| location: | Schiedamse Vest, Rotterdam city centre |
| design: | 2010-2013 |
| realisation: | 2013-2014 |
| client: | Stichting BOOR, Bestuur Openbaar Onderwijs Rotterdam |
| structural engineer: | IOB, Hellevoetsluis |
| advisor - technical installations: | Nieman-Valk, Rijswijk |
| contractor: | Sprangers, Delft |
The unrelenting rational pattern of the existing façade has been covered with an informal composition of different colours and textures. This composition softens the rigid rhythm of the openings and enhances the sculptural character of the volume as a whole.
Das weiße Haus - August Macke
The applied colours refer to the immediate surroundings of the school. This approach, taking vivid colours as variations of white, is derived from a watercolour by August Macke, Das weiße Haus, in which the artist depicts a white house in the sun by using intense colours. The colours illustrate the artist’s perception of the white. The new skin gives the building a contemporary, fresh appearance, in keeping with the ambition of the school to be "art-minded and colourful".
Of the existing interior, only the columns, staircases and gym have been retained. On the upper floors, all existing partition walls and all false ceilings will be removed. The concrete structure has been revealed where possible. Decorative timber panels have been added in specific locations to improve the acoustic properties of the space.
small school garden project in the city
1 entrance
2 multifunctional room
3 podium
4 room
5 storage
6 boardroom
7 installations
8 pantry
9 classroom
10 gym
11 dressing room
12 showers
13 consultation
The new interior offers large classrooms and several informal spaces for individual tasks and for work in smaller groups. The ground floor serves as a multifunctional hall with a lowered floor connecting directly to the newly furnished outdoor space. Generous glass walls and a wide canopy enhance this connection.
The renewed gym is warm and intimate and at the same time fresh and light. The windows can be opened!
