'De Tuimelaar' Primary School De Panne


Lams Van Mieghem architecten tv

  • Status:

    Design

  • Education type:

    GO! Education of the Flemish Community

  • Education level:

    Primary Education (pre-school + primary)

  • Address:

    Vereningingstraat 17, 8860 De Panne

  • Client:

    GO! Education of the Flemish Community

  • Contest:

    Open Call 15

  • Programme:

    classrooms, exercise hall/multifunctional games hall

  • Area:

    ca. 1.000m2

  • Number of classrooms:

    9 classrooms
    2 smaller classrooms


Building outdoor rooms

With their design for this school, the architects tried to provide a solution for the demands that were made, but at the same time aimed to expose the hidden qualities of the site and the buildings and give an incentive for the redevelopment of the entire building block. A new structure is planned perpendicular to the Verenigingsstraat, adjoining a block of classrooms that is to be retained. A new backbone of classrooms will connect the exercise hall with the existing buildings, making it possible to design various outdoor areas. The new structure divides the outdoor area of the school into a large playground on the one hand, and a more intimate south-facing playground on the other hand. The entrance to the school is arranged with a transitional area between the square in front of the school and the playground, and a covered zone created by raising the new structure. An alleyway connects the Brouwerstraat and the inner area.

The new classrooms are built mainly on two levels and correspond to the existing building on the street in terms of height. On the first floor of the new building, the new classrooms join on to the existing structure: the primary classrooms are grouped on one storey. The ground floor has several entrances in a covered outdoor area. The transition from the street and the square in front of the school to the playground is planned there. The entrances, the reception area, the toilets and the exercise hall come off this strategic space. In this way, the exercise hall can be used as a multifunctional hall which is perfect for after-school use, without having to open the school. Further towards the dining area the raised structure turns into an overhang with the entrance to the nursery school classrooms and with a second staircase to the first floor. The three new nursery school classrooms are on the ground floor from a common corridor which connects the exercise hall, the toilets for the nursery school, the entrance to the kindergarten and the playground. Sliding doors allow for great flexibility: the classrooms can be connected, the corridor can be included in the classrooms, the classrooms can open up directly onto the outdoor area.

The specific siting of the new structures and the arrangement of the various programmes result in different outdoor areas, each with its own atmosphere, use and material qualities. The square in front of the school and a small park are a transitional zone between the public domain and the school, so that the school faces onto the street. The nursery school classrooms open onto a more intimate, enclosed green garden. The building with the dining room has its own paved outdoor area which connects at the same level. The large rectangular playground is paved, surrounded with green and allows for complete freedom at playtime as a completely open space.