The Gravenbos school in Gistel (Belgium) was struggling with a capacity problem and so underwent a renovation and extension to the existing building to increase space. Now, Rockpanel Woods and Rockpanel Stones Concrete Platinum embellishes the school’s facade with a naturally-appealing character.
The renovation of the school included four classrooms and a multifunctional hall extension for both the primary school and the nursery. The sanitary facilities, some existing classrooms and the dining hall were also expanded and renovated. The classrooms are purposely not placed in the centre of the school, instead next to hallways to ensure improved flow of students and a more compact building. Acoustic comfort and the flexible use of the classrooms were also considered during the renovation.
Used products:
Rockpanel Woods and Rockpanel Stones Concrete Platinum
Child-friendly design
SOM Architects who were responsible for the renovation had a strong design focus on the child-friendliness of the school building. "We made the design playful with the use of colourful graphics on the windows. In the multi-purpose room, there is a custom-made play cabinet and the floor has a soft PVC covering," says architect Bert Laridon of SOM Architects. Children that are playing produce quite a lot of noise. That is why acoustics were strongly emphasised by means of an acoustic sound-absorbing ceiling. The architect also chose ROCKWOOL as insulation. "This product insulates and reduces noise levels extremely well," explains contractor Coenraad De Somviele of Copawood. "We also often install rock wool insulation in large buildings because it scores highly in terms of fire safety.
Seamless Rockpanel
To add a warm touch to the largely concrete school, SOM Architects opted for natural-looking facade cladding: vertically interlaced Rockpanel Woods panels in 3 shades. The wood look blends neatly with the concrete of the building. The roofline is finished with Rockpanel Stones Concrete Platinum.
Not only in terms of appearance, but also in terms of durability, Rockpanel scores well. "It is a natural product, easy to maintain and easy for contractors to process. The boards can be placed seamlessly against each other," says Bert. Coenraad agrees. "This was our biggest project so far, but everything went very smoothly. The school has a beautiful and colourful look. An exceptional project we are proud of."
