• About us
• Exemplary practices
  • Belgium
  • Abroad
  • Search
• Contact

evr-Architecten

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  
•  
•  

• download pdf (PDF, 2.12Mb)

• Status:

  Design

• Education type:

  GO! Education of the Flemish Community
  

• Education level:

  Primary Education (pre-school + primary)
  

• Address:

  Meerlaan 25, 9620 Zottegem
  

• Client:

  GO! Education of the Flemish Community

• Contest:

  Open Call 16

• Programme:

  classrooms, laboratory, teaching kitchen, multifunctional hall, toilets

• Area:

  1.600m²
  

• Number of classrooms:

  16
  

‘Finishing’ the Athenaeum along the new Atheneumstraat

The Royal Athenaeum in Zottegem comprises nursery and primary education, as well as secondary education, with a number of technical departments. Part of the accommodation is also used for daytime and evening courses. Because of the great increase in the number of pupils and as a result of an increase in the number of courses that are available, there is now a shortage of classrooms. In addition, a number of out-of-date individual buildings have to be demolished. The existing school and site form a singularly green, but also fragmented school campus with many possibilities. Some of the striking elements include a number of clear lines of sight, buildings scattered across the site including a number of single-storey pavilions, extensive fields of grass, unorganised car parking space and an undefined relationship with the immediate urban environment. The designers focused on a number of the site’s hidden opportunities.

The required extension (1,587m2) is modest compared to the existing buildings (9,762m2). In the light of a sustainable solution, the most valuable building on the site was reconsidered and ‘completed’. The building has a rational structure, is both structurally and physically in a good condition, there is ample room for the internal circulation, and the classrooms are large and high with a generous amount of daylight.

The new functions required fitted perfectly into the recesses in the northern facade. On the other side, the ground floor, which connects with the playgrounds, was partly reorganised. This results in a compact building, with an internal corridor with classrooms on either side. The existing corridors, as well as the staircases, can be used for the existing and the new part of the school. Part of the available budget could be used in this way to improve the existing building. The northern facade, which is blind at the moment, becomes an internal wall between the circulation area and the new classrooms. The new outer façade becomes an elevation overlooking the city and the three new residential blocks next door and also opening onto a new public highway (which is currently being constructed). The visibility of the school and the positive relationship with the surrounding urban fabric were improved. The multifunctional hall was created with a small extension of the west wall of the main building. This extension is designed in such a way that it can operate autonomously. A third entrance to the school campus can be built here. Bicycle racks will also be provided there. The two recesses to the right and left of the dining area can be glazed and will serve as a lobby or reception area for the pupils.

In their vision for the new school campus, evr-Architecten moved the car parking to the edge of the site, while the cyclists and pedestrians become more important and the new road becomes a third access. The wealth of green space is more diversified. Additional green aspects include an orchard at the end of the line of sight from the Meerlaan, a play wood in the southern corner and kitchen gardens between the small buildings. An open water channel and a rain infiltration area are proposed to improve the water management system and can at the same time serve as a visual and educational element for the children.