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Location | Client |
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Leiden, Netherlands | Hevo B.V. |
Vlietland College in Leiden is relocating to a scenic location on the green banks of the Korte Vliet. The new school is designed as a pavilion closely integrated with the surrounding park. Greenery wraps around the building, creating new pathways from the nearby residential area to the historic canal side. Large bay windows display the educational activities within the building, while the architecture, with its bright orange-red brickwork, blends Leiden’s architectural heritage with a modern touch, echoing the tradition of country estates along the Vliet.
The school’s design maximises the waterfront location while prioritising energy efficiency. The east-facing sports hall prevents morning heat gain, shed roofs diffuse natural light into the building, and large north and northwest facing windows provide daylight without overheating. Enhanced insulation and airtightness make the building sustainable without relying on high-maintenance technology.
Nature and water are ever-present, both from classrooms and through transparent learning plazas. Visitors enter through the Plaza, the social heart of the building, where the double-height west-facing facade connects to the green banks and trees outside. The Plaza serves as the hub for gatherings and events, with a dedicated area for first-year students. Educational areas are organised around the Plaza, creating distinct environments that offer a gradual transition from noise to calm.
The interior is light and spacious, with a wooden balustrade linking the various areas. Sightlines and shifting perspectives maintain a connection to the surrounding park. The landscape design encourages outdoor activity, with features like a giant swing, sports stairs, and a sprint track. Native planting and a vertical forest enhance biodiversity, with trees adding seasonal colours and a bee corridor connecting the school to the wider parkland.
architecture, landscape architecture