'Ibis Freinet' Primary School Herentals and 'De Vlinder' Primary School Lille


Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten

  • Status:

    Design

  • Education type:

    GO! Education of the Flemish Community

  • Education level:

    Primary Education (pre-school + primary)

  • Address:

    Berg 10, 2275 Lille
    Heesveld 9, 2200 Herentals

  • Client:

    GO! Education of the Flemish Community School group Kempen

  • Contest:

    Open Call 16

  • Programme:

    classrooms, staffroom and multifunctional area

  • Area:

    Lille: 630m2
    Herentals: 497m2

  • Number of classrooms:

    Lille: 5 new classrooms
    Herentals: 3 new classrooms


A ‘school shed’ full of possibilities

A site full of trees and shrubs, large lawns to play around in and nature to learn from. The two Freinet schools, ‘De Vlindertuin’ in Lille and ‘Ibis Freinet’ in Herentals, are located in a perfect environment for learning and play. Only the outdated infrastructure undermines this ideal. Through the Open Call selection procedure, a number of different architects were asked to design good quality, energy efficient schools. It was a search for a single building design which would be a suitable solution for both sites.

The Rotterdam office of architects Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten designed a sort of ‘shed’ structure. At first sight, this design looks simple, but it is the result of rational and precise considerations. The design that was required consists of units that can be simply placed next to each other, with a multifunctional hall in the centre of the building. Large sliding doors link the classrooms and allow for many different sorts of group work: small-scale working corners, traditional teaching, cross-class projects. When all the sliding doors are open there is one enormous space with various atmospheres and possibilities: this school architecture is an instrument which is used for educational purposes.

In this design, rationalism goes hand-in-hand with a creative interpretation of the physical and financial norm: by opting for outdoor circulation rather than the traditional covered corridor, the dimensions of the classrooms are as big as possible. In spring and summer the large sliding doors serve as a ‘front door’; children run directly outside via the terrace. The extended edge of the roof provides protection when it rains, and in colder times of year the protruding structures form an entrance hall. These spaces not only operate as a lobby, but are also used for storage and the toilets for the two adjacent classrooms. The classrooms benefit from these choices: light comes into these spaces on both sides and there is a view of the surrounding nature. The large classrooms are the settings for different atmospheres: a curtain allows for a more intimate way of dividing off space, one beam which has been left creates an opportunity to introduce a mezzanine, various roof windows to the north let in additional playful light, etc.

The relatively compact building is constructed with a timber frame with brick elevations. Energy use is an important parameter for the school: sufficient insulation, a good orientation of the building, and carefully considered shading meet the requirements. The shape of the roof is suitable for installing solar panels.
It would be easy to add an extension to this model: one or two classrooms can be added to the new building. If it becomes urgent, it would be possible to simply build a second ‘school shed’ on the site.  Lots of ‘learning’ fun is guaranteed!