Dynamic interior for RSG ‘t Rijks I Gispen-Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen

RSG 't Rijks in Bergen op Zoom offers a wide range of Dutch secondary education levels: mavo, havo, atheneum and gymnasium. The school building was starting to feel cramped on all sides. A major transformation has changed all that. The first phase was the renovation of the oldest, monumental part of the building. Gispen-Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen (school furniture) provided a dynamic and versatile new interior. Gispen and Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen have been working on projects together more and more often in the past years. This project demonstrates that our knowledge of secondary and primary education complements each other perfectly.

A MORE CHALLENGING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Leon de Rond, principal of RSG 't `Rijks: 'Our educational concept is based on cooperative learning with a personalised touch. We consider experiential learning to be important and we apply it by bringing the outside world inside; we have, for example, students that work for real clients who address issues concerning the world and the climate. Educationally, we are all set when it comes to experiential learning. But the classrooms and other spaces were starting to feel cramped. We want to support our students in developing their talents, which is possible here in a great many areas; from art, sports and exercise to science and technology and internationalisation. This requires a challenging learning environment. We deliberately started with the oldest part of our school, which is a listed building of special historic interest. It was severely outdated both functionally and technically. We wanted this part of the building to provide more space to our primary school pupils.'

INVESTIGATIVE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL COLLABORATION

The transformation of the monumental section came about in collaboration with VVR Architects and Gispen-Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen. This part of the building had great potential. The top floor was beautiful, but had mainly been used as an archive and storage room. The main structure consisted of closed cells with long, dark hallways on each floor with classrooms on either side. The entire building was opened up and larger, bright spaces were created. Alcoves have been formed in between every two classrooms where students can study individually or in groups. An additional floor has been created in the attic where students can work together on projects in an investigative and entrepreneurial way. It has become the spot where students like to work or chill out after classes.

DYNAMIC INTERIOR ENCOURAGES MOVEMENT

Interior designer Annemieke Tijsseling of Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen translated the architectural plan and its main colours into an interior design. The floors of the classrooms and large learning plazas present an attractive combination of marmoleum and a warm parquet print. Carpets in matching colours have been cleverly incorporated to highlight the individual areas of large spaces, which also have an immediate acoustic effect. Robert Aret, educational furnishing specialist at Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen: 'In the attic we deliberately installed different types of high and low furniture; standing tables, comfortable sofas and even bike desk chairs. The flexible layout has allowed us to create a dynamic learning and working environment that challenges students to be active. The underlying idea is that the different elements encourage activity; when everyone enjoys taking part in something, it leads to much better results.' The classrooms adjacent to the open workspace each have different arrangements with triangular tables and a central table for giving instructions along with a separate workstation for the teacher.

Photography: Chris van Koeverden

Photography: De Kiekjesfabriek

Robert Aret – Education furnishing specialist at Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen

A word from the specialist

'The attic has become a fully-functional additional floor, where students can collaborate on projects in an investigative and entrepreneurial way. We have deliberately chosen different types of high and low pieces of furniture; standing tables or comfortable sofas and even bike desk chairs. The versatile interior design contributes to a dynamic learning and working environment that challenges students to get actively involved. The underlying idea is that the different elements encourage activity; when everyone enjoys taking part in something, it leads to much better results.'

‘WE CONSIDER EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING TO BE IMPORTANT AND WE APPLY IT BY BRINGING THE OUTSIDE WORLD INSIDE’

Leon de Rond RSG ‘t `Rijks principal

Leon de Rond - RSG ‘t `Rijks principal

The client’s thoughts

'New development was not an option for us. If anything, we wanted to show the history of the school. At the same time we wanted the education that we provide to be well-facilitated, while offering more space and a more challenging learning environment for our students. We now have much more open spaces with dynamic layouts, where one can work or relax in various ways. When you express your expectations to each other, there's no need for any barriers, and that is wonderful to experience. This first transformation has been well received in all areas and from here we will further enhance the school in the years to come.'