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Architectenburo OOSTPOOL

Photos: Dries Van den Brance iov Xella-Ytong

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• Status:

  Realized

• Education type:

  Municipal Education
  

• Education level:

  Primary Education (pre-school + primary)
  

• Address:

  Maanhoeveweg 33, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver
  

• Client:

  muncipiality of Sint-Katelijne-Waver

• Keywords:

  Low-energy building

• Programme:

  6 nursery classes, 1 central covered play hall, 2 covered outdoor play areas, 1 teachers' room, 1 classroom for specific assistance to pupils, sanitary facilities

• Area:

  920 m²
  

• Number of classrooms:

  6
  

• Completion:

  2005-2006

Playful architecture for a warm building

With this project the school management team and teachers of the municipal nursery and primary school Dijkstein wanted to give the toddlers suffi cient space to play and create a maximum contact with nature. This objective, as well as the limited budget, were at the basis of this architectural project.

The classrooms are arranged around a joint play hall in order to make it more comprehensible for the pre-schoolers. Each classroom has its own covered outdoor space and the play hall is oriented towards the playing fi eld. As a result, each of the spaces looks out on nature. The large roof type created additional height in some classrooms, which made it possible to make small storytelling attics.

In many respects this is a good example of a sustainable school building. Due to the combination of a well-considered location, spatial planning and far-reaching insulation the school is a low energy school. The classrooms are all south-oriented and an overhanging roof edge and a row of trees prevent overheating during the summer. During winter, the sun which is low in the sky can penetrate the classrooms. The roof edge also acts as a porch for the outdoor classrooms.

Ample attention was paid to a selection of sustainable materials and a minimum use of materials. Wood (carrying the FSC label) was opted for whenever possible: the supporting structure, the windows and the interior joinery work. The architect came up with a fascinating solution to recycle the rainwater. The water fl ows via a rain pipe in a water tank in the outdoor classrooms. In this way the water recycling is integrated into the building and serves as an educational tool for the preschoolers. The water of the sanitary facilities is cleaned in the ecological reed fi eld.

However, a school building should not only be warm in terms of energy, but also in terms of architecture. The architect further elaborated this in a concept for warm architecture. The use of colours and materials, the acoustic control and the playful design create a pleasant learning and working environment for both pupils and teachers. The interior cladding with wood up to 1m50 high and the fl oor heating contribute to the homely atmosphere. The architect opted for gas cell concrete because this has a warmer feel than regular concrete. Acoustics was a major point of attention. The pitched roof and walls in the play hall, the visible beams (sound-breaking) and the use of porous materials are only a few of the measures that were taken to control acoustics.

The end users were given the opportunity to participate in the design and construction process. The architect started the design process with a workshop where teachers could give a presentation of their ‘ideal classroom’. Several elements from the teachers’ sketches were integrated into the design. During the works the architect also organised several site tours for the teachers and pupils. This involvement, at the initiative of the architect, was very much appreciated.

Outside school hours, this inspiring school building is also open to children from both within and outside the school. On Wednesday afternoons they can participate in special music classes and public performances are organised. The windows that are shaped as musical notes are a playful reference to these musical activities.