D&B Open Learning Environment BS Terra

The design brief stems from the ambition to create an open learning environment for kindergarten and primary school children, complemented by a multipurpose hall and a STEM classroom. Within the limited space of the Slachthuissite, the project adopts a compact and layered design where learning, play, and social interaction flow seamlessly together. An open courtyard forms the heart of the project, connecting classrooms, the multipurpose hall, and support functions through transparent transitions and carefully framed views. The architecture is modest yet thoughtfully embedded in its urban context. Volumes are composed to bring in ample light and air, and to connect with the Kalverwei and the Kalverpad. Green roofs and park balconies provide additional spaces for play and learning, giving the occupied footprint back to the children. Subtle brick tones, warm wood, and tactile details create a timeless and robust character, resulting in an urban meeting place where education, neighbourhood, and city intertwine.