Rudolf Steiner College and School
Rudolf Steiner College and School
Rudolf Steiner College and School
Connected educational ensemble according to the free school concept
Two school buildings, one educational philosophy
Due to the growing number of students, the Rudolf Steiner School - for primary education - and the Rudolf Steiner College - a secondary school community - needed expansion. The design of free school education, with a continuous learning line from 4 to 18 years, also required a linked location so that students can easily share functions. This location was found a stone's throw from the existing branch. An L-shaped school building from the 1960s has been transformed into a primary school, while a new secondary school building has been built next door.
Transforming a rectilinear building into a free school
For primary school, it was important to make optimal use of the existing structure — not only in terms of sustainability, but also because adjustments would be difficult and expensive. From the Waldorf school idea, there was a wish to break the tight corridor structure and give the school a heart. That is why we moved the entrance to the armpit of the building; space has been created for a generous reception, adjacent to the media library and the kitchen. Atelier PRO has also added a transparent intermediate building, the so-called 'connector' that connects School and College. This includes two new large spaces: the playroom and the eurithmy room. The College's main auditorium can also be reached via the intermediate building. For example, the two schools are physically and educationally intertwined.
Compact new building with lots of outdoor space and greenery
Because the new College needed to be located in the limited space between the existing school building and the street, we opted for a compact layout in three layers. At the front, the building steps down to the schoolyard; this softens the sleek, orthogonal character and creates special roof terraces. These serve as a secure extension of the schoolyard and as an outdoor classroom - and thus programmatically and visually match the Waldorf philosophy. The central entrance with the canteen is located at the schoolyard. Via a grandstand staircase, students can go further up into the building from here, through corridors that are always slightly kinked.
The theater hall: at the center of Waldorf education, at the center of the school
There are two large spaces in the center of the building: the main theater hall and the gymnasium above it; the rest of the program folds around this. The halls have a wooden shell with a special shape; as a result, the orthogonal layout is softened internally and partly 'abgeecked' (beveled). However, this is more than just a visual intervention; the sloping walls include all kinds of supporting functions. Both rooms are fully soundproofed, with separate floors on top of each other, to ensure that the functions do not interfere with each other. Theatre plays an important role in Waldorf education, which is why the main hall meets very high standards in the field of theatre technology.
Natural, sustainable materials for architecture and interiors
The College's facades are made of brick combined with preserved wood. The façades are 'hard' on the street sides and made of seamless masonry; wooden slats provide softening and sun protection. On the schoolyard side, the facades are becoming more 'organic' and are made of light, vertical wooden façade sections. For the interior, atelier PRO started from a base of natural colors and materials, interspersed with accents in more pronounced tones. Special furniture such as the study areas and the distribution desk are custom-designed; there is a living green wall in the canteen. At the end of each corridor, as a benchmark, the windows are provided with a glass artwork by artist Ton Mensenkamp.
At the School, the existing wooden frames have been reused; the entire building has also been provided with new insulation and new façade cladding: from painted concrete to warm wood. The color scheme in the interior of the primary school was developed by De Werkplaats GSB.
Sustainable and nature-inclusive
The existing primary school was outdated and in poor energy condition. As a result of the renovation, the outer shell has been upgraded above the current new construction requirements. The College and School are also connected to WKO; therefore, there is no longer a gas connection for the old building either. PV panels have been installed, making the complex energy neutral. In addition, the schools comply with Frisse Scholen class B. Attention has also been paid to nature inclusiveness: large integrated planters have been co-designed on the roof terraces. The east façade includes facilities for swifts and sparrows and the south façade includes bee stones and slots for bats. For example, atelier PRO has designed a school complex where contemporary sustainability requirements and the philosophy of Steiner education meet.
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