In Eindhoven, architectenbureau cepezed was tasked with renovating and expanding the Van Maerlantlyceum—a heritage-listed secondary school dating back to 1919. Cepezed’s design preserves historic façades and artworks while adding a three-story glazed wing at the rear for creative and technical classrooms and a new auditorium. Interiors were reorganised to create clear circulation and a coherent connection between old and new sections. By minimising demolition and working with existing structures, cepezed has created a sustainable space that honours architectural heritage while meeting the needs of modern education.
Designed for different needs in a different time
The original building, designed by Theo Taen, was conceived as an expansion of the Catholic grammar school for girls: St. Catharina Lyceum. Taen was influenced by Scandinavian modernism—particularly Danish and Norwegian approaches to school design—which emphasised light, openness and social interaction. His hall-oriented layout, with classrooms clustered around a central auditorium rather than along long corridors, reflected these ideas. The design underscored the post-war belief that education was not only about teaching but also about community and collective experience.
Over the decades, the building underwent a series of piecemeal renovations and extensions. While these adaptations addressed immediate functional needs, they often compromised the coherence of Taen’s original vision. The result was a patchwork of interventions that did not fully respect the building’s architectural character. In 2010, the building was designated a national monument, ensuring that its cultural significance would be preserved for future generations, while making any architectural intervention to enhance flow or new spaces lightly more complex.
Minimal intervention for maximum impact
Cepezed’s approach involved minimal intervention: the design kept most of the original structure intact and limited demolition to what was strictly necessary. This approach ensured that the building’s history remains legible while also reducing construction waste and preserving the energy embodied in the original materials. Known for its integration of art across the campus, the school’s transformation incorporates the stained-glass windows by Albert Troost, the colourful murals of Lambert Simon and the sandstone sculpture of St. Catherine by Frans Fritschy.
The historic street-facing façade has been preserved, keeping the familiar character of the building intact and ensuring that old scholars returning will recognise the school clearly. The original entrance remains in place, but a new main entrance has been created at the edge of the former courtyard, which has been enclosed to become a bright auditorium space that provides a direct connection between the historic building and the new three-storey building at the rear. This new construction contains flexible classrooms designed to accommodate evolving educational needs.
Bio-based materials and a verdant heart
The atrium forms a central, flexible space within the school. A glazed ceiling maximises natural light and ventilation, reducing the need for mechanical systems, while carefully positioned planting visually and physically links the interior to the adjacent park. A multifunctional stepped seating area, complete with theatre lights and curtain, provides space for assemblies and informal gatherings. Two strategically placed staircases ensure smooth circulation between the old and new parts of the school, even though the floor levels do not all align perfectly.
Located on the edge of a park along the Dommel River in Eindhoven’s Gestel district, the renovation opens the building to its green surroundings and abundant natural light. Cepezed’s design responds to the character of the site. Bio-based materials in natural tones reduce environmental impact, while the interior palette, inspired by Simon’s murals, creates a cohesive and considered learning environment.
Adaptive reuse powers long-term resilience
Cepezed’s reimagination of the Van Maerlantlyceum demonstrates how careful intervention can extend the life of a historic building while improving its functionality. By retaining most of the original structure, limiting demolition, and incorporating durable, low-impact materials, the project reduces resource consumption and preserves the energy embedded in existing elements. This approach shows how adaptive reuse can meet contemporary educational needs while maintaining the building’s long-term performance and resilience.
