'De Regenboog' Primary School for Special Education Koekelare


Gino Debruyne

  • Status:

    Realized

  • Education type:

    Free Subsidised Education

  • Education level:

    Special Primary Education

  • Address:

    Belhuttelaan 24 a, 8680 Koekelare

  • Client:

    vzw De Regenboog

  • Programme:

    Multifunctional hall, classrooms, therapy rooms, kitchen, dining area, administration and school grounds

  • Area:

    1587m2

  • Number of classrooms:

    16 classrooms


Compact organisation around a central multifunctional hall

This entirely new school for special education is hidden behind shopping premises, as seen from the street, and is located close to the municipal recreation area. In addition to benefitting from the proximity of these facilities, the green character of the area is ensured in this way. The compact plan is characteristic of this school.

The multifunctional hall has a versatile character and forms the heart of the school. The hall is used as a meeting area, dining area, living room, gym, party hall, and covered play area, and opens up onto the open playground. The hall is lit through the roof and looks out over the playground. In good weather, the hall can be fully opened up. At the end of the hall there are two red boxes containing storage space and a kitchen. A sliding wall makes it possible to divide the hall into two or to use it as one large space.

The building is built around the multifunctional hall and consists of two U-shaped wings on two floors. The first floor is staggered in relation to the ground floor, creating an overhang which marks the entrance and the covered playground at the same time. The classrooms surround the multifunctional area with a colourful corridor, which allows for a view and a sense of involvement.

The classrooms and the toilets are on the ground floor, and the administration, staffroom and therapy room have been placed on the first floor, which can be reached with two staircases. The staffroom looks out over the playground.