IKC de Vaart is a new children’s centre in Ter Aar, the Netherlands. The children's centre, designed by De Zwart Hond, brings together a daycare, elementary school, youth and family center, library, and shared sports hall under one roof. Felixx developed a comprehensive master plan for both the building and its surroundings.
The Municipality envisioned the existing sports fields becoming an integral part of the area. Together with the surroundings of Scouting Wapata and the Argonnepark, a design was created for a single green park where education, sports, and social interaction come together.
A (country) estate concept forms the basis of the master plan, translating the spatial requirements into an inviting design that complements the architecture of the children’s centre, engages the surrounding landscape, and connects it with the wider environment and the city's centre.
The master plan
A unified green identity
The landscape of IKC De Vaart is, like at a country estate, lush, well-structured, and composed of recognizable, cohesive elements. Roads, sidewalks, and pathways feature vibrant colors and materials that reflect the identity of the park, while entrances, signage, and furnishings share a consistent and recognizable 'estate style’, giving the area a clear visual unity.
A multifunctional landscape
Different programs within the site complement and strengthen one another. The children of the elementary school play football on the sports fields, the daycare makes use of the scouting grounds, and local events also take place in the sports hall. The public space is designed with natural play elements to encourage learning through movement and discovery.
Landscape rooms
The area is structured around distinct programmatic zones, or ‘landscape rooms’, each with its own identity. The children's centre functions as the central hub, while the tennis and soccer fields shape the sports room. Each room contributes to the spatial rhythm and diversity of the overall design.
Connectivity and accessibility
The master plan integrates the site into its broader context, creating clear, safe routes and easily recognizable entrances. IKC De Vaart has its own dedicated access with separate car and bicycle routes to ensure safety and smooth circulation. A new network of public paths connects the neighborhood with the different landscape rooms, making the entire area open and accessible to all.
