New tutorials’ building in Ghent
The new tutorials’ building is part of the upgrading of the entire school area of the Sint-Janscollege in Sint-Amandsberg.
- Client
- KOGA vzw
- Location
- Sint-Amandsberg, Ghent
- Period
- 2015 – 2017
- Partner
- Boydens Engineering
- Disciplines
- HVAC, elektriciteit, sanitaire installaties, brandbeveiliging, liften, labo-inrichting, omgevingsaanleg
- Services
- architectuur, ontwerp, technische uitrusting gebouwen en opvolging van de werken
Integrating a new building in the existing school environment
Where there was previously an unused site, the arrangements for integrating a new building in the existing school environment now come. The new building has to accommodate 390 people and provides classrooms, sanitary and administrative areas, and a school restaurant.
The site of the Sint-Janscollege has undergone several renovation works in recent years and has already received a new sports hall behind the old school building. The location of the new building fits in nicely with the existing buildings and is southeast oriented at the front so that there’s lots of natural light fall from morning to late afternoon. The sun protection has been adapted to this and consists of vertical concrete structures. The classrooms are connected to each other by means of a south-oriented corridor while the classrooms enjoy soft northern light and views over the greenery.
The functionality and aesthetics of the new building
In the first instance, the functionality of the building prevails with this mainly translating to the layout of the building. The functional and aesthetic aspects of this new building come together in a play of form and space in a green environment.
Challenges and future expansion possibilities
The location of the building in relation to the existing infrastructure posed a major challenge, which is why it was decided to set up an arrangement whereby future expansion on the site is not excluded. The supporting structure of the project consists of a concrete skeleton of columns and beams, in between which all walls are constructed with light separation structures. In the future, this offers the prospect of easily adapting the layout of the building to the needs of the school.
Maintaining the green environment of Sint-Janscollege
The existing school environment of the Sint-Janscollege was a green environment, so when the new building was designed, it was decided to keep as much greenery as possible. After the completion of the site, a modified green environment was chosen. The new square in the middle of the site that serves as a meeting place was given new planting in the middle of the square.
Good to know, a playful reference is made in the design of the new school building and the arrangement of exposed concrete panels serves as a formal reference to books in a bookshelf.
