Community school Het Dok in Oegstgeest, The Netherlands by Paul de Ruiter Architects

Article source: Paul de Ruiter Architects 

Going to school in a wooded environment where it’s all about sustainability. Het Dok is a new community school where kids can learn and play safely, and where nature is tangible both outside and in every class room. Natural materials, fresh air and lots of daylight were the most important starting points for the design.

Community school Het Dok comprises a primary school, a day care center, a nursery school, a sports hall, a music school, and exhibition and multifunctional spaces. These functions are divided between the ground floor and the first floor, and are directly connected with the circular courtyard. The complex has a natural and comfortable appearance because of its wooden construction.

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

• Architects: Paul de Ruiter Architects
• Project: Community school Het Dok
• Location: Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
• Photography: Sonia Arrepia
  
• Client: Municipality of Oegstgeest 
  
• User: Municipality of Oegstgeest, ABS Het Dok, Stichting Kinderopvang Oegstgeest 
  
• Project Architects: Paul de Ruiter and Noud Paes 
  
• Project Team: Richard Buijs, Marlous Vriethoff, Laura van de Pol, Wilko de Haan, Christian Quesada van Beresteyn 
  
• Construction Management: Traject Vastgoed Advies Groep 
  
• Adv. Construction: Pieters Bouwtechniek Delft 
  

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

• Adv. Installations: Kuijpers 
  
• Adv. Bouwfysica: ARUP Amsterdam 
  
• Adv. Construction Costs: Bouwhaven 
  
• Contractor: De Vries en Verburg 
  
• Gross Floor Area: 3.660 m2 
  
• Start Design: November 2010 
  
• Start Construction: June 2013 
  
• Completion: July 2014

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

Playing in a safe setting 

The green circular courtyard constitutes the heart of the school. It’s a safe and cozy playground where the youngest kids can run and play carefree. The older kids find space to play on the roof, specially designed for them.

Air quality 

The unique climate system of Het Dok is based on natural ventilation and flrms the solution for bad air quality in school buildings. The system uses fresh air from the wooded environment around the school, and is interwoven with the completely wooden construction. Via acoustic ventilation grids, undisclosed by the green glass façade, fresh air can easily flow into the building. Right behind the grid a heating- and cooling-element is incorporated, which is connected to an underground thermal storage system. Supporting beams of the wooden construction assist the flow of fresh air into every area of the building. At two central zones in the building the air is transported outside and warmth is regained.

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

Image Courtesy © Sonia Arrepia

Image Courtesy © Paul de Ruiter Architects

Image Courtesy © Paul de Ruiter Architects

Image Courtesy © Paul de Ruiter Architects

Image Courtesy © Paul de Ruiter Architects

Image Courtesy © Paul de Ruiter Architects

Tags: Oegstgeest, The Netherlands

Categories: Child Care, Elementary School, Exhibition Center, gym, Multipurpose Hall, Music Centre, School, space

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