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Architectuurstudio Herman Hertzberger

Photos: Architectuurstudio Herman Hertzberger, Sofie Bullynck

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• Status:

  Realized

• Education type:

  Free Subsidised Education
  

• Education level:

  Primary Education (pre-school + primary)
  

• Address:

  Grote Bickersstraat 102, 1013 Amsterdam
  

• Client:

  'De Eilanden' primary school

• Keywords:

  Community school

• Programme:

  classrooms, multifunctional space, outdoor space, 8 houses

• Area:

  1.333m²
  

• Number of classrooms:

  11 classrooms
  

The school as an open system – combination of functions

This primary school is located in one of the most beautiful spots in Amsterdam, with a view over the water on two sides. It is a perfect urban project which has resulted in a remarkable compact building in the inner city, by forming part of a complex with eight exclusive houses. The houses were designed and built by another architect. This residential development meant that it was financially possible to build a school in this highly desirable and expensive location in Amsterdam. The access to the houses and the entrance to the school are independent from each other so that the combination of functions does not result in any nuisance.

The school consists of a ground floor and a first floor and tries to wriggle out from underneath the block of apartments in order to allow as much daylight as possible into the central hall. This central hall is a two-storey space and forms the heart of the school for all sorts of activities. The piano in the central lowered seating area is used during the lessons so that the whole school can enjoy the music. There is visual contact with this central hall from every point in the school, resulting in a sense of openness and solidarity. Other elements also confirm and strengthen the operation of this open school. The staffroom and meeting room open into the central hall. There is an intimate lowered seating area behind the staircase for quieter activities, without losing contact with the rest of the school. The classrooms are only separated from the corridor by large sliding doors, which can be opened up so that the classrooms can be extended outwards. When all the classrooms open their doors, everyone is together in one single large space.

Originally the programme consisted of 10 classrooms, but during the building programme this was increased to 11. The classrooms have been extended with a sort of transitional area between the corridor and the classroom. These are localised wider spaces in the corridor, where individual activities can take place or pupils can work together in small groups. Coats are hung up in these recesses, but they are also used for work and craft activities, and the work can remain there until the next day. It is also possible to look into the classrooms from the corridor through a horizontal window. In addition, part of this window serves as a display area for the best work. In this way every classroom has its own individual appearance.