Outgaarden Primary School


VBM Architecten

  • Status:

    Realized

  • Education type:

    Municipal Education

  • Education level:

    Primary Education (pre-school + primary)

  • Address:

    Brugstraat 20, 3321 Outgaarden

  • Client:

    Municipality of Hoegaarden

  • Keywords:

    School grounds

  • Programme:

    renovation of the existing building, multifunctional hall, toilets, kitchen, covered playground

  • Area:

    240m2

  • Number of classrooms:

    2 (in existing building)


Optimal and multiple use of space

The old village school in Outgaarden has been transformed into a nursery school. The two original classrooms are now nursery classrooms and the primary school has moved to the main centre of Hoegaarden. This old village school is located perpendicular to the street, and the playground is screened off from the street by a wall. The architect's assignment consisted of building a multifunctional space, the renovation of the existing building and a new construction for the playground.

The multifunctional space with the new toilets is sometimes used as a classroom, serves as a dining area and is also used for pre-school and after-school child care. The prefabricated panels open outwards, forming an overhang which covers part of the playground. The exterior wall of the playground consists of garage doors, so that the multifunctional hall can be opened up completely in summer onto the playground. All the other sections of the exterior wall are made of matt polycarbonate in order to admit extra light. Ultimately the hall will also be used as a gymnasium and area for physical exercise or a number of group lessons can be organised there. The architect has ended up with much more than was asked for.

The multifunctional building was not placed on the street side but at the back, against the playground. This meant that the original, very characteristic school wall could be retained. There is a paved playground in front of the multifunctional hall, which at the same time forms the entrance to the school. The sloping roof of the multifunctional hall is covered with grass and goes down to the ground floor, where it merges with the strip of lawn at the back. A slide, staircase and climbing rope were incorporated in this green slope, so that the area behind the multifunctional hall was transformed into an adventurous playing field. This meant that the area of green playground could also be retained. The building takes up the space, but because it is possible to walk over some of the roof, some of the playground has been regained.

The green roof is effective for preventing overheating in summer and acts as insulation in winter. It also serves as a buffer against water in the case of heavy rainfall. Furthermore, the green roof protects the skin of the roof against UV rays, giving it a longer lifespan.