College of Higher Education Vorselaar


Gust Wouters, Daniela Verwilt, Maximal Design

  • Status:

    Realized

  • Education type:

    Free Subsidised Education

  • Education level:

    College of Higher Education

  • Address:

    Lepelstraat 2, 2290 Vorselaar

  • Client:

    Management Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen, Teacher Training

  • Programme:

    Entrance hall, multifunctional space, cafeteria, dining hall, library, reading room, multimedia room, small classrooms

  • Area:

    2100m2


Translating an educational vision into layout, furniture and signage

The Kempen Catholic College of Higher Education extended its building for teaching training in Vorselaar with a new volume in the building block. The architects Gust Wouters and Daniela Verwilt designed the new building. The new dining area, dining hall and multifunctional space are situated on the ground floor. The library with a reading room, the multimedia rooms and a number of small classrooms are situated on the first floor. 

The school approached the designer Maxime Szyf for the interior design. His colourful ideas had to express the message which the college wished to pass on to future teachers. The aim was to tempt them away from their set ideas and invite them to develop an open and unprejudiced view of diversity in the world. The interior design not only reflects a multicoloured and optimistic view, but also introduces urban and a number of worldly aspects into the school. 

The “Globe” as a logo at the entrance reflects this philosophy. The colourful signs and the plan of the building, rather like a map of the underground, strengthen this urban character. The wall for posters in the multifunctional space, and a printed wall in the dining area further reinforce the impressions of a city. Colour and city are also the theme of the names (Violeta, Redwood, Blue Mountain, Yellow, Orange and Greenwich) for the small classrooms. 

The entrance hall was furnished as a place which encourages communication with seating elements, a pillar for posters, a blackboard wall for messages and arrangements or graffiti, and ambient light with changing colours. In the library all sorts of work places have been arranged for individual work or group work. A special atmosphere is given to the whole space with colour and very simple furniture. The furniture was specially designed, but was also price conscious and is very user friendly. The chairs can be stacked and can easily be placed on the tables to clean the floors. 

It is a sustainable concept which separates the building from its furnishings. After all, the building has a much longer lifespan and therefore the shell should have a more timeless character. The furniture, signage and layout do not last as long, and must be more adaptable. Sustainable building also means taking change into account in advance.