Colourful interior design for Alfa-college Groningen

Alfa-college in Groningen is housed in a special building next to the FC Groningen football stadium. Over ten years ago, the building was redeveloped for educational purposes, in which a low-stimulus environment would contribute to positive academic results. In the meantime, new insights have come to light and colour and hybrid education have become the main focus. Together with De Unie Architects, we furnished the school with lots of colour and multifunctionality and gave it an interior design that once again befits what Alfa-college represents.

A WARM AND HOSPITABLE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

The furnishing process was divided into four projects: ICT in the showcase, the Makerslab, BLISS (business learning in shared spaces) and the redesigned team rooms for teachers and study environment for students. Four projects with different types of spaces and different purposes. Yet there were also similarities: they were all given a warm, hospitable interior design through colour and natural elements. The furniture is flexible in use, has its own character and all the individual pieces fit together perfectly.

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

The bright-yellow Makerslab is where you will find creative students at work. We therefore opted for a combination of different types of furniture items. Students can easily pull up a felt stool to one of the workbenches. And there are mobile tables where groups work on projects together. Carolien: 'This encourages students to use their creativity. The furniture can be configured in many ways to create a less static space, for example. The second floor even has a grandstand where we hold presentations and organise exhibitions.'

Carolien: 'We hired a stylist for the entire project. Gispen, in turn, looked into what furniture the company could provide itself and suggested some alternatives from various suppliers. This was also applied to the three BLISS rooms. We couldn't be more pleased with the triangular tables and Gispen NOMI chairs, to name an example. They allow for a great many creative setups. Exactly what the space needs.'

CIRCULARITY

Once again, circularity played a major role in this project. Stephen Burns, account manager at Gispen: 'We started by performing a Circular Quick Scan (CQS): looking into what Alfa-college already owned and what could be refurbished or reused. Some of their furniture was altered to fulfil a new function. We then added furniture from our Circular Hub and the GISPEN REVIVED collection, where necessary.'

When opting for products from the Circular Hub, you will not only have a more sustainable interior in the end, but you will also save time. Stephen: 'We have this furniture in stock and can therefore deliver quickly; good examples include the Chesterfield sofas and GISPEN REVIVED sit-stand workstations that we supplied to Alfa-college. Student desks that the college already owned were repurposed: they now serve as extension tables for the Gispen JUNA coach seats.'

OUR REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINT IN NUMBERS:

By opting for refurbishment and reuse, we reduced CO2 emissions by 26,810 kg. This is equivalent to, for example:

Burning 8552 litres of diesel;
Flying from Amsterdam to Paris 188 times;

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE RESULT?

Carolien: "Our school is a place where everyone can be who they are and want to be. This philosophy was like a common thread for the interior design and it was put into practice successfully. Our idea has truly come to life: all the products have been supplied and installed, the people are making use of all the newly furnished spaces, which have turned out to be suitable to all. It's a wonderful result.'

Photography: Studio De Zwarte Kater

Stephen Burns – Gispen account manager

A word from the specialist

'We start every Alfa-college project with the same question: what do we already have in stock and which pieces of furniture can we supply circularly? We then combine products that are already owned by the client with refurbished products from the Circular Hub and new products. This approach worked out well for Alfa-college at the Boumaboulevard. It's a wonderful blend of furniture.

We formed a close partnership with Alfa-college during the project. We thought along proactively to efficiently implement every step and to keep to the tight deadline. We kept in close contact with Carolien Lanting, among others, about the lead times and delivery dates. Everyone is very happy with the result, and that is what it's all about!'

‘WE HOUSED THE ICT COURSE IN THE SHOWCASE, APPLIED BOLD COLOURS AND CHALLENGED GISPEN TO SUPPLY FURNITURE THAT MATCHED OUR COLOUR SCHEMES. IT ALL WORKED OUT WELL.’

Carolien Lanting Alfa-college Facility Manager (Boumaboulevard)

Carolien Lanting, Alfa-college Facility Manager (Boumaboulevard)

The client’s thoughts

'In the early stages of the project, we got together with the architect and our teachers to focus on the creative process. Gispen gave us all the space we needed for this process. The interior design had to match the function of every space. Gispen provided great options from their Circular Hub, as well as new items from Gispen's collection and from subcontractors. For every decision we had to make, we opted for designs that perfectly matched the preconceived concept.

Working with Gispen was a great experience. Account Manager Stephen Burns was always available, so the lines of communication were short. Practical matters were also easy to deal with: we kept each other informed on delivery times, adjusted plans and came up with the right solutions together.'