Huizingaschool

The design for the Huizinga Community School offers a learning environment where students can feel protected, independent, and simultaneously free. The transition from security to independence is gradual, from classroom to unit area and from the central hall to the neighborhood playground. Each environment requires different elements. The classroom is located along the facade, offering abundant daylight and fresh air. It's a quiet, safe place where students can learn optimally. The central hall, on the other hand, is a place where students, parents, and the neighborhood meet, offering a spacious, open space with plenty of activity.

Storied Community School

The compact school building consists of two stories, situated on the spacious school playground. The playground is directly connected to two public squares. The lower grades and childcare are located on the ground floor, while the middle and upper grades are housed on the upper floor. The ground floor houses a gymnasium with changing rooms and a community meeting room, both with their own entrances, which are used independently of the school by clubs and the neighborhood. Both levels are composed of multiple layers, offering a sense of security and freedom. The school entrance is located on the schoolyard, under a large canopy, leading directly to the central hall at the heart of the building. This central hall is the meeting place for the entire school. Here, parents, teachers, visitors, and students of all ages gather. Adjacent to this hall are the learning areas where students from the same building can work and play independently or together. This enhances the sense of calm and order. Finally, the classrooms, which offer the greatest sense of security, are located adjacent to these learning areas.

A Facade Concept of Contrasts

The appearance of a school building is a decisive factor in children's enjoyment of school. It should not only feel pleasant inside, but also appeal to children from the outside. Therefore, we opted for robust, slightly darker brick on the ground floor, which will be planted with vegetation. For the facade of the upper floor, however, we opted for a combination of enamelled glass and aluminium panels in light colours, which gives the building a fresh and open appearance.