EVA architecten completes energy-neutral special education school in the netherlands

located at the winklerlaan in utrecht, the netherlands, EVA architecten has designed a special education primary school for public education board ‘SPO utrecht’. the energy-neutral building consists of two volumes, robust in materialization, soft in shape and light in color.

all images courtesy of   EVA architecten

the two volumes created by EVA architecten, house education and gym areas separately, and they can be distinguished by their materialisation. the masonry of the façade is divided into rims, the middle of which works as a canopy at the entrance, forming a connection between the two volumes, which are also linked through a play room. the rounded corners soften the building and interconnect the various outdoor spaces in a smooth manner. the complete program consists of 15 group rooms, a technical room, 2 gyms, infirmaries and additional supporting spaces.

the school is specifically designed for special education cluster 2, where the overview for student and teacher is of great importance. each group room has its own toilet and an additional workplace as a shelter zone. each cluster of four group rooms has its own learning area adjacent to the central patio. the patio forms a resting point where both pupils and teachers can isolate and relax. the patio provides daylight on the learning squares and connects the different clusters spatially and visually.

the building has been designed and constructed according to the dutch BENG (bijna energie neutraal gebouw – almost energy neutral building) sustainability criteria. in addition, various measures to enhance biodiversity have also been incorporated. a green roof on the low roof between the building parts and the fitting of various nest boxes for common swift, bat and house sparrow in the façade. another aspect of sustainability is flexibility in use. the group rooms can be divided in such a way that regular education can also be accomodated. furthermore, the meeting room can be linked to the play room, while the play room is linked to the storage room of the gym, offering multiple use possibilities within the whole school. the kitchen also serves as a reception piece of furniture for visitors and the professional kitchen of the technical room can be used for the meeting room. 

the entire interior has been designed in consultation with the users and in collaboration with interior architecture office NEST, while landscape architects beuk has designed the outdoor space. in this way, the EVA team was able to add an extra layer to the design, utilizing a coordinated color and material palette which ensures peace and consistency within the busy school. the same applies to the squares: these are programmatically connected to the spaces on the façade, with each age group having its own square that is as green as possible. finally, superuse studios have been asked to make art / play objects with materials of the old building with which the squares are decorated. 

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edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom