Every square meter cleverly used
The new building has a striking high glass façade. This provides light and transparency throughout the building. The entrance is the central hall where everything is possible: a performance, group work, but also retreat for a while. Downstairs is the substructure, a wide wooden staircase takes you to the upper school. Smart corners have been created under this staircase, such as a reading corner for toddlers. Esther: 'The upper years are often easier to organize in a new environment than the kindergarten. For the toddlers, the circle arrangement remains a familiar basis. Such a reading corner offers extra possibilities.'
Flexibility is guaranteed. Sliding walls between classrooms turn two rooms into one large, multifunctional space in no time. And the corridors, both upstairs and downstairs, also offer corners and seating areas for education.
Special wishes
Annemieke Los, Segment Manager Education at Gispen: 'In terms of design, we have been challenged considerably! IKC De Tjalk wanted a creative interior design proposal that was aesthetically in line with the building. Preferably many natural materials including wood and basic colors gray, light blue and white. We added ocher yellow as an accent. The furniture had to be both functional and flexible. A special wish was the organically shaped teacher's desk that also serves as an instruction table and is adjustable in height. The wavy shape fits the theme of water and creates a beautiful interplay of lines in the room. Furthermore, the single-height principle was important – student tables in one height for different groups. That gives peace of mind and tables are easily interchangeable.'
Cabinets to write on
Gispen furnished the entire school, from classrooms to team room, offices and workshop. As an apprentice chair, De Tjalk chose the sustainable, easily recyclable Gispen WIZZ chair with adjustable footrest. The student tables have rounded corners. Both downstairs and upstairs, we used high Inline cabinet walls with revolving doors as a whiteboard. These cabinets not only offer plenty of storage space; You can also write on it or hang works on it. Interactive whiteboards are seamlessly incorporated into the cupboard walls. In the team room, meetings can be held sitting or standing at the Gispen TEAM table. Gispen Dukdalf tables create a homely atmosphere.
How do you like it?
Esther: 'Our new building and the interior are beautiful, as if it was conceived by one person. There is now a good foundation; Every new basket we select, we choose carefully. When I walk around the school, I see that all places and corners are occupied. The huge storage space in the classrooms is great. It keeps the rest quiet, exactly what school is meant for.'
Photography: De Zwarte Kater
