'De Twijg' Primary School Wijgmaal
a33 architecten
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Status:
Realized
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Education level:
Primary Education (pre-school + primary)
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Address:
Ursulinenstraat 1, 3018 Wijgmaal
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Client:
vzw Vrije Basisschool Wijgmaal
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Programme:
classrooms, sports hall, kitchen, changing rooms, dining areas/multifunctional space, administration, storage, school grounds, bicycle storage
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Area:
1.967m2
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Number of classrooms:
21
Integrated approach for the entire school
The free primary school in Wijgmaal, a stone’s throw from Leuven, is located in a former monastery. The old listed building no longer met the physical building requirements and contemporary needs of the school. The whole site was tackled in two building phases: some wings were renovated, and the historically less valuable and impractical parts of the school were demolished and replaced by new buildings. The outside areas were also tackled. A tiered theatre forms an outside auditorium, black and white stones transform part of the playground into a chessboard, and the wooden overhang with domes – which serves as a covered playground – corresponds perfectly to the rest of the building. The traffic situation in the immediate environment was also reviewed. The adjacent Ursulinenstraat, north east of the site, was closed to through traffic. In this way, the pupils can safety run in and out of the main entrance. The comprehensive approach to the design resulted in a fresh appearance, which reconciles contemporary demands with historical values.
The administrative part, the existing dining area and nine classrooms have been restored to their former glory: two stories, a few new windows, double glazing and insulation give these areas a contemporary feel. A33 architecten combined the existing and renovated wings with different new parts of the building. The sports hall and the central hall – the new heart of the school – were located on the corner of the street. The childcare facility is an independent part in the whole project on the Baron Descampslaan, while the nursery school is located at the back of the site. Despite the complex spatial demands, a33 architecten succeeded in presenting the various wings as a coherent ensemble and the use of materials is the common thread which runs through the various wings.
The building was designed in such a way that some of the areas can also be used after school: the sports hall is an independent unit with its own access and changing rooms, the kitchen is strategically placed between the central entrance hall and the sports hall, so that the visitors to community parties and receptions can be served quickly. The after-school facility has its own garden which can be extended to the school’s playgrounds without any problems.
A33 architecten has designed a user-friendly school with practical and at the same time intriguing spaces. Natural light, acoustic comfort, sustainable materials, notice boards and storage are essential elements for the users of the school and in this school they are an integrated part of the design. Every nursery classroom has a uniquely design with two stories, the classrooms of the primary school are extended with a mezzanine and the staircase is cleverly incorporated in the storage facilities. These are just some of the examples of a range of ingenious decisions.