Huizinga community school

The design of community school Huizinga wants to offer pupils a learning environment in which they feel protected, while at the same time independent and free. The transition from security to independence goes gradually from class room to unit space, and from central hall to courtyard in the neighborhood. Every environment asks for other ingredients. The class rooms are positioned near the façade with lots of daylight and fresh air. A calm, peaceful place where children can study optimally. The central hall on the other hand is a place where children, their parents and the neighbors meet each other, a spacious, open place full of commotion.

Layered Community School

The compact school building consists of two layers which border the spacious outdoor playground. This playground is directly connected to two public squares. The junior classes and day care are situated on the ground floor, while the middle and senior classes are established on the first floor. At the ground floor the gym with changing rooms and a meeting area are located, both with their own entrance.

The school's entrance borders the outdoor playground, below a large canopy and leads directly to the heart of the building. Parents, teachers, visitors and pupils of all ages assemble here. Education plazas, which enable children from the same age to work autonomously, adjoin this central hall. Here, the feeling of protection increases. Behind these plazas we've placed the classrooms that are known for the highest level of safety.

A contrasting façade concept

The appearance of a school building can be a determining factor for children to enjoy going to school. An education building shouldn't only feel comfortable from the inside, but should also look appealing to children from the outside. Therefore, on the ground floor we've chosen for a robust, somewhat darker brick covered with planting. On the contrary, for the first floor we decided to go for a combination of enameled glass and aluminum panels in light colors to realize a fresh appearance.