Instute for Technical Education Londerzeel


Teema-architecten

  • Status:

    Design

  • Education type:

    Municipal Education

  • Education level:

    Technical Secondary Education
    Vocational Secondary Education

  • Address:

    Daalkouter 30, 1840 Londerzeel

  • Client:

    AGIOn

  • Keywords:

    Low-energy building

  • Contest:

    DBFM-procedure

  • Programme:

    classrooms, workshop area, dining area, sports hall, open learning centre, administration, supporting facilities

  • Area:

    4200m2

  • Number of classrooms:

    15 classrooms
    1 large workshop area


Compact, passive building as the new heart of the school

The town council of Londerzeel wanted to replace the pavilions which had determined the face of the school on the Daalkouter since 1960 with a new building. The pupils of this technical school had already attracted attention when they constructed a climate website, and now the new building will also be remarkable in achieving the passive house standard. This new building concept underlines the importance of technology for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. In a passive house, architecture and technology go hand-in-hand in order to achieve low energy consumption. In this way, the school building will be a ‘double whammy’ for technical education. The building is not only a new learning environment for the pupils, but at the same time serves as an educational object in itself which can be used in practical lessons.

A passive building is a building which barely needs energy for heating in winter or cooling in summer because of its good compact construction, thermal mass, excellent insulation and airtightness, heat recovery ventilation, ground heat exchange and adjustable solar protection.

The school developed on the sites behind the former boys’ school on the Mechelsestraat, which is now used as an academy for music, dance and drama. The new building is built against the existing buildings, a studio wing and a block of classrooms. The extension aims to improve the existing building and give the school on the Daalkouter a new look and an attractive entrance. The sports hall is also on this side and can be used by local inhabitants and clubs after school hours.

The design is a compact structure which fits in with the existing buildings, enclosing the playground. The new building will become the new heart of the entire school and the inner area will be a pleasant, light space. The dining area is located in the centre of the building and serves as a large hall. The space is not only used for the lunchtime meal but can be a meeting place, a covered play hall or a work place for pupils and teachers throughout the day.