Het Zand
‘Het Zand’ presents a striking building in Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht. Centrally located in the neighbourhood, the accommodation hosts two primary schools, a day care centre, after-school care, a community centre, a theatre, and a gymnasium. To facilitate the growth of the two schools and innovations in educational vision, VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism designed extensions and its interior. The result is a multifunctional, flexible, and attractive building that serves as a social anchor in the neighbourhood.
Arranged for collectivity
The architecture of the building, which in its form and materiality evokes the image of a spaceship, inspired the internal reorganization, the extensions, and the transformation of the interior design. First, the multi-purpose functions were arranged for collective use: the sports hall, the after-school care, the theatre hall, and the community centre. The community centre is located at the heart of the building, brings people together, and links all functions; on either side, the two schools occupy the building over three floors up to its extended ends. For the schools and the community spaces to function independently, the architects provided each with their own portal and lobby. Decorated courtyards lead up to the expressively designed entrances.
Interplay: educational vision and interior design
With the light and spacious interior of Het Zand, the designers of VenhoevenCS give expression to their vision on education. Together with the schools, they share the belief that learning is not limited to successive group activities in a single classroom. In close dialogue, the architects enriched the learning environment of classrooms with ‘learning squares’; connecting spaces, with places to use for concentration, play, and out-of-class activity. Wide corridors, alcoves and corners invite children to use them as they wish. For inter-group lessons and activities, the learning squares can be enlarged by opening the new flexible walls.
Photography: Luuk Kramer