Da Vinci College/SG Antoni Gaudí
Da Vinci College/SG Antoni Gaudí
Da Vinci College/SG Antoni Gaudí
Sustainable new construction for two secondary schools
A compact and flexible school building in the green
Da Vinci College (MAVO, HAVO, VWO, Technasium and bilingual) and SG Antoni Gaudí (VMBO-T) once formed one school together, then split, and are now going to join forces again. They do this in a new atelier PRO building, on the site of the Antoni Gaudí - a location that also houses a number of other courses from the Purmerend School Group. Indeed, the existing Antoni Gaudí complex is too small, does not fit well with the desired program, requires too much surface area and is also “run out”. By opting for a new building, we can create a compact building that is flexible in design, with shared spaces and functions, and more connection to the green and water-rich environment.
Recycled and bio-based material
For the new building, we harvest as much material as possible from the existing building, including wooden frames and concrete stone, and much of the outdoor space - such as gravel, tiles, lampposts - is immediately reused. In addition, we are fully committed to bio-based materials: for example, the façade uses a modular, lightweight, prefab wood frame with bio-based straw fibers and environmentally friendly flax wool insulation, covered with biocomposite; this is complemented by aluminum frames with a C2C certificate. Where possible, polyurethane foam is replaced by sheep wool; the cement-based floor has been replaced by an environmentally friendly anhydrite floor. And last but not least: the new building includes space for the current bat colony.
Sustainable facades inspired by the past
The design of the biocomposite façade panels was inspired by Simon Stevin's grid, which also formed the basis of the world-famous UNESCO subdivision of the Beemster. A playful interpretation has been applied above the aluminum frames that refer to Purmerend's waterscape. The area was shaped by the mining of peat, which led to the creation of inland seas such as the Purmer and the Beemster, which were then reclaimed as agricultural land. These subtle references strengthen the connection between the school and its unique geographical and historical context.
Future-proof and adaptable
Initially, the schools within the new building each wanted their own wing, but in the current format, the education of Da Vinci College and SG Antoni Gaudí is intertwined. The building is set up as a regular, flexible grid with columns around a backbone of fixed cores, so that all interior walls can be moved and functions can be adjusted as desired now and in the future.
A clear structure and a well thought-out design
In the design, we also looked for a clear and functional structure as much as possible. The central entrance to the school simultaneously serves as a connection between the main route - Flevostraat - and the Bergmolen running parallel to it. This is also where the impressive three-tier auditorium with a grandstand staircase, the heart of the building, is located. All departments are easily accessible from this auditorium. A central axis, perpendicular to the entrance, provides clear wayfinding, allowing students and staff to effortlessly find their way around the building.
Courtyards and learning areas
Around the auditorium, there are clusters for the various departments - including Science, Art and People & Society - with its own learning space for each domain; in addition, there are also many group learning places with separate spaces. Together with the classrooms, the learning plazas can be used for larger meetings, while the group classrooms and meeting rooms can be used for group work and as a quiet workplace. This setup, combining classrooms with learning plazas, was an explicit wish of the school, which at the same time made it possible to make a deeper and more compact building; thanks to the three-story auditorium, a large loft with a skylight and the use of skylights, the building is nevertheless a light school.
Connection between education and environment
From the building, there is a lot of connection to the outdoor space. For example, the rooms of the Technasium, the large beta cluster including labs, but also the art, music and drama rooms - all subjects that enrich outdoor education - are located on the ground floor. The nature-inclusive school site, designed by OASE landscape and urban planning, is designed to further strengthen this harmonious integration between education and the environment. For example, there is an amphitheater for theatre, which also serves as a secure but organized and 'overseen' meeting place during breaks. The bicycle shed has been broken up by hedges so as not to get a lot of bicycles, the outdoor area is unpaved as much as possible, and the many trees on the site provide shade, making it a nice place to stay. And here, too, the water has been made more visible, with a walking path and wadis — and can therefore also be used for lessons.
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