KC De Meerstroom is the new building for two merged primary schools in Muiderberg, carefully situated between the existing nursery and the sports hall in the village. The rounded shape of the timber-framed school is both an aesthetic gesture and the spatial and structural essence of the design: compact and sociable, and ideal from both an educational and energy efficiency perspective.
Upon entering, the building’s light-filled heart immediately catches the eye: daylight and sunlight flood into the double-height assembly hall through an almost circular skylight. Beneath it lies a polygonal wooden staircase with a landing; a combination of stage, gallery, reading area, library and play structure all in one.
Circle: social and efficient
The formal requirements of sustainability, energy efficiency (ENG) and flexibility have been translated into a circular structure; ideal in terms of the ratio between circumference and surface area, and with minimal heat loss through the external façade. In addition, pipework and ventilation have been arranged vertically to maximise vertical space, resulting in an even more compact building.
At the heart of the school is a circular, double-height assembly hall with two tiers of classrooms arranged around it. This circular layout works well; everyone feels seen and it is easy to make contact. There is no hierarchy; all spaces are equal and distances are the same for everyone.
Reciprocal and flexible structure
The school is built of timber, constructed using (detachable) CLT-columns and beams. The assembly hall has been designed to be column-free, with a reciprocal roof structure comprising twelve mutually supporting beams. Where these beams meet, they form a diaphragm, creating a dodecagonal skylight.
The structure and lightweight wooden partition walls allow classrooms to be joined or separated. And should the school expand in the future, provision has been made for three additional classrooms on the roof terrace. There, a beam structure now continues the building’s form.
The spaces are flexible in use. The open corridor upstairs is at times a busy thoroughfare, at others a quiet workspace. The assembly hall can easily be transformed from a meeting place into a stage, with the staircase and playroom serving as the audience seating and wings.
Curved with straight lines
To create a multifaceted and ever-changing façade, the curved façade has been constructed using straight wooden panels; this approach is efficient in terms of materials, production, installation, costs and time. The subtle fold between the panels means that the façade constantly changes appearance due to the play of light and shadow. The creases, further emphasised visually by the pre-weathered, slanted wooden slats, form recesses in which plants can grow sheltered from the elements.
KC De Meerstroom provides a healthy and stimulating environment for children aged 4–12. On the site, the school, nursery and sports hall make clever use of each other’s facilities, and the shared playground is open to the public outside school hours – and is very popular. Now that all child-related activities in the village are concentrated in one place, it has become an efficient and social hub for children and parents in Muiderberg.
