Nova College

The new educational building not only accommodates the growing number of students, but also encourages greater collaboration between the Healthcare and Social Services programs and houses the latest technologies. This is where the Healthcare and Social Services staff of the future will be trained. The energy-neutral 6,000m² educational building (Care) is part of a new green campus, designed by Paul de Ruiter Architects. In addition to the new building, this building also includes a 500m² multifunctional pavilion (De Mug) and a new bicycle parking facility surrounded by greenery.

In close collaboration

The educational building was created in close collaboration between Paul de Ruiter Architects and the staff, lecturers, and students of the Healthcare and Welfare programs at Nova College. The study areas, theory rooms, and practical training spaces are tailored to the specific needs of each program. For example, the building features a fully reconstructed doctor's and dentist's office, and various nursing wards where real healthcare situations can be simulated. The pharmacy assistant's practical training room is also designed as a lifelike pharmacy, with a pharmacy counter specifically designed for the program, including a custom-made pharmacy cabinet, and a laboratory where students learn to prepare medications. The building's sophisticated layout encourages interaction between the various disciplines, enabling future healthcare professionals to learn to collaborate efficiently from an early stage.

Green, circular, and healthy

The new energy-neutral Care educational building is located on the same site as the main building of Nova College on Randweg in Haarlem. In collaboration with landscape architect ZUS, Paul de Ruiter Architects also designed the transformation of the site into a fresh, green, and attractive outdoor space. Traffic flows have been separated from pedestrian flow, creating a well-organized campus that is safe for pedestrians. The edges of the area are deliberately maximally green, with grassy hills, shrubs, and numerous trees. Together with these landscaped edges, the new building gives the campus an intimate feel. The heart of the campus is formed by the centrally located, striking, round, multifunctional pavilion, De Mug, where students from the new building and the existing buildings can meet. The pavilion consists of a large wooden structure, giving the building a unique identity. Besides providing insulation, the green roof on the pavilion ensures continuity of the campus's green landscape. The green campus grounds flow seamlessly through the glass facade into the central atrium of the new Care educational building. The atrium connects the various floors and study areas. The transparent facade allows daylight to enter, while the vertical wooden slats not only give the building a warm appearance but also protect the classrooms from overheating and direct sunlight. The north facade of the educational building is green and features climbing plants. A geothermal energy storage system has been installed on the site to provide heating and cooling for the new buildings. In addition, solar panels have been installed on both the roofs of the educational building and the pavilion to meet the energy needs of the occupants.

Frisse School

Natural materials have been used throughout. Besides circularity, a pleasant and healthy indoor climate played an equally important role in the design of the new educational building. Hybrid climate islands and operable windows have also helped create excellent air quality. The energy-neutral educational building meets the Frisse Scholen (Fresh Schools) classification. The interior of the educational building and the pavilion is a collaboration between Paul de Ruiter Architects and Firm Architects. Paul de Ruiter Architects designed the interiors of the practical and theory classrooms, while Firm Architects created the informal layout of the study areas, the balconies, the atrium, and the multifunctional pavilion. This collaboration has resulted in a vibrant mix of styles.