IKC ‘t Simmelink by studio Nuy van Noort is a future-proof educational environment: supportive of the educational vision, inspiring and activating for its young users.
In a lush green landscape surrounded by low-rise housing, IKC ‘t Simmelink is designed as the social heart for the community of Eibergen. Together with the client we created a future-proof educational environment in which children feel safe, free and comfortable: supportive of the educational vision, inspiring and activating for its young users.
The spatial design of the IKC, including several voids, connects the different floors, spaces and green landscape. A bespoke spatial element naturally separates, connects and activates the different areas of the building, making it a flexible and stimulating social environment.
A tailormade IKC
The client's wish was a future-proof IKC with primary school, daycare and gymnasium that stimulates contact, involvement and connection as a solid basis for their educational vision. An IKC that fits naturally into the green environment and with the small-scale buildings in the neighbourhood.
The IKC is carefully laid-out as an all-sided building with large window frames on all sides so that the original green structure of the site becomes legible again. By dividing the building into two volumes offset from each other, the IKC looks modest despite its large program and views of the green environment are preserved.
Through careful use of proportion, material and patterns, the large building volume is downsized to a human scale. A robust plinth made of a mix of light-coloured brick carries the top floor. A ribbon with a different brick pattern acts a transition between the ground floor and first floor, and simultaneously accentuates the recessed main entrance. The classrooms of the first floor and the gymnasium are wrapped in two abstract boxes covered with a diamond pattern of slates of mixed colour, adding extra depth to the façade.
Through intensive coordination with client and users the joint ambition to create a tailor-made stimulating educational environment is elaborated in the spatial design of the building and interior, materialization, furnishing and use of colour. All these elements have been integrally designed from the start so that maximum use is made of the available space and the limited budget. With tailor-made designs in the facade, fixed furniture in the common area, the wardrobes and fixed cupboards in the classrooms, special use of colour with matching upholstery and lighting, we have ensured that this IKC has become truly specific to the children and teachers of ‘t Simmelink.
Focus on social interaction
The starting point for this building was not to develop a new school, daycare or gymnasium focussed on those functions, but rather to design a place for social interaction, focussed on people. This is why the building has been designed so that the smallest size dictates. We have created spaces for all users, large and small, young and old. We have included places to view each other’s activities, encouraging curiosity and stimulating encounters and collaboration.
The spatial design of the IKC ensures that the young users 'see each other' and are made curious to explore and discover. Thanks to voids in the building, there is always contact between the different floors and the green environment. A bespoke spatial element naturally separates, connects and activates the different areas of the building. This element contains a staircase with a wide podium for presentations and gatherings, recessed seating, displays for all arts and crafts, but also offers space to store the books from the library. This element offers a lot of flexibility in the way the different spaces can be used, creating a stimulating social environment, a clear wish of the client.
Sustainability
We have designed a robust IKC that is firmly rooted in its environment. A building that will last for many years, yet at the same time is adaptable to ever changing aspirations. It is both sustainable and future-proof. The IKC is a completely energy-neutral all-electric building with heat pump, low temperature heating and solar panels.
From the start of the project, there has been close cooperation with the other consultants, making sure that construction, installations, fire regulations and acoustic facilities were fully integrated in a natural way. All building layers (construction, installations, façade, interior finishing, etc.) are engineered and detailed as separate elements as they have different investment costs and lifespans. All these layers can be replaced of altered separately to ensure flexibility and to stimulate re-use. Natural and recycled materials have been used for the façade, interior and furnishings. The furniture consists entirely of reused elements (refurbished).
The interior and the furniture have been integrated into the design process from the start. Using a harmonious mixture of natural, sustainable and low-maintenance materials, creating a consistent and tranquil appearance throughout the building. The careful use of colour creates a soft and warm look and feel. Perforations, panel partitioning and detailing provide a refined layering – with attention to good acoustics.
