Zalmplaat school in Rotterdam, Netherlands by diederendirrix architects

Article source: diederendirrix architects

The Dutch foundation for protestant-christian primary and remedial education (Protestants-Christelijk Basis- en Orthopedagogisch Onderwijs), the Zalmplaat school and the city of Rotterdam have challenged the building industry to present a new Zalmplaat school that is as sustainable and easily maintainable as possible.

Image Courtesy © diederendirrix architects

• Architects: diederendirrix architects
• Project: Zalmplaat school
• Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

To be considered for this task, five parties within the European tender procedure have submitted a tender and a concept design, based on a budget announced in advance and on the program of demands. Building and real estate company Dura Vermeer Bouw en Vastgoed bv, together with diederendirrix architects, were declared the winners, based on the maintenance planning and calculations of energy efficiency connected to the concept design and on the presentation.

In the design of the new Zalmplaat  school, the expressive and soft building volume is equipped with two floors with rounded corners, creating an all-round soft shape. Colourful letters and strips in combination with wavy movements of the frontage make a characteristic and expressive building; a school with a familiar yet personal and distinctive expression, recognisable for the children, teachers and neighbourhood.

The thriving heart of the school is the centrally located auditorium, around which the classroom zones are situated. The central heart with auditorium and stands which is expanded with an adjoining games room, parent room, small play areas and work places encourages, emphasizes and improves the gathering of teachers, pupils and parents. The extension of the central heart responds cleverly to flexible use of space. The playground is accessible from the playroom through folding doors, enabling the outer space to be included in the inner space. The playground can also be accessed from the floor via a wide stand with steps. This stand can be used as an extension of the playground, for example as an outdoor theatre or outdoor classroom.

In November, the city of Rotterdam and Dura Vermeer will sign the contract to build the new Zalmplaat school. Then the next phase can start: to jointly develop the concept design which should lead to a planning application and the final realisation. Building starts mid August 2015, expected completion is February 2016.

Tags: Netherlands, Rotterdam

Category: School

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