schiemann weyers
architects

Comenius College, Nieuwerkerk, NL

school, multifunctional building
client: Comenius College, Capelle a/d Ijssel
project team: DKV architecten, Jörn Schiemann collaborating architect
photography: DKV architecten
status: commission (2001), completion (2004)

The 'Comenius College', a school for intermediate vocation education, is situated on a triangular plot adjacent to a railway line. Due to this situation, noise control is one of the main issues, determining the overall design and specifically affecting the layout of the floor plans. The main volume of the school is placed parallel to the railway line, serving as a sound barrier not only for the schoolyard, but also for the adjoining neighbourhood. While all classrooms are orientated towards the yard, all secondary functions like corridors, staircases etc. are organised along the railway facade.
Situated as an interface between the school volume and the gym volume, the entrance allows for separate use of the individual parts; the gym can be open to the neighbourhood after school hours.
Within a rather 'rough' urban setting - the school plot is enclosed by a railway line and a ring road - it seemed necessary to articulate the different programmatic parts as a coherent, solitary entity. The entire plot perimeter is fringed by a metal fence structure that is up to 10m high along the railway line, allowing to be covered by climbing plants. It provides intimacy for the landscaped courtyard and creates a unique identity for the school.

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