Sint-Gerardus Institute Diepenbeek
Holistic Architecture 50|5
-
Status:
Realized
-
Education type:
Free Subsidised Education
-
Education level:
Special Primary Education
Special Secondary Education
-
Address:
Nieuwstraat 68, 3590 Diepenbeek
-
Client:
vzw Sint-Gerardusscholen
-
Programme:
classrooms, therapy rooms, toilets, administration, staffroom, living areas, kitchen, cafeteria, pool for hydrotherapy, sports hall
-
Area:
7000m2
-
Number of classrooms:
24 (learning classes and social classes)
A magnificent hall with lots of room to move
The Sint-Gerardus Institute in Diepenbeek has existed since 1964 as a boarding school for children with motor disabilities. Subsequently a nursery school and primary school, as well as a school for special secondary education, were added to this, in close collaboration with the Medical Educational Institute. The former boarding school consisted of a series of prefabricated buildings linked together in a rather disorderly way over the course of time. The outdated buildings with a chaotic collection of classrooms and corridors, which were much too narrow, no longer complied with current demands and were therefore replaced by an efficient new building. In accordance with the current vision of residential facilities for the disabled, which are aimed at supporting self- reliance, the boarding house was separated from the school and located elsewhere.
The design of this building is astonishingly simple: all the classrooms and the necessary therapy areas are accommodated under one roof, 162 metres long. The primary and secondary schools are each found at one end of the building. The classrooms are on the side at the front, while the therapy rooms, living areas and sanitary facilities are in the heart of the building. The various entities are separated from each other by recesses in the building, which at the same time serve as separate play areas. The large roof is set back to accommodate these ample courtyards. The curving roof was also given large dormer windows, which ensure that there is sufficient daylight in the middle of this building, which is 51 metres deep. This central block in the middle with the communal facilities links everything together. The large kitchen, open dining area, pool for hydrotherapy and sports hall were all arranged in the central block, next to the staffroom and administrative rooms for a number of supporting services. The other services were accommodated in a part of the old building that was kept.
The 34 glued and curved wooden joists of the roof construction are at intervals of 6.5 metres and create a large space with an open and light character. The careful use of materials ensures that the space has muted acoustics. The colours that were used support the pleasant atmosphere and make it easy to find your way about. Because of the semi-industrial approach and the simple structure, it was possible to complete the building with a very reasonable budget. This simple construction method resulted in a great deal of interior space that could be used, as well as quite a lot of covered outdoor space. This means that there is a great deal of space for movement, which is a simple but essential requirement for the supervision and living conditions of these children. Because of their often multiple motor disabilities, these children move in wheelchairs and carrying devices specially made for them which require a great deal of space to circulate. The wide corridors and large communal areas created here are therefore some of the special qualities of this building.