Primary school Reitdiep, Groningen

The Meander municipal school and the Aquamarijn Protestant Primary School share a new building, together with a day nursery, out-of-school day care and a playgroup. Surrounded by water, this complex is a veritable child-centred learning and play island. With its single storey, the building is literally low-threshold and has been built in a curved shape along the road, thereby defining the internal courtyard. The latter will give some 400 pupils who attend school here ample space to play in a protected environment, surrounded by greenery and trees. The whole building is raised up and surrounded by steps to the internal courtyard, with a broad canopy above, which not only gives protection against the sun, but also allows the children to play outside without getting wet. In fine weather the stairs serve as a stand and create an open-air school. The classrooms can be reached directly from the playground and can be opened up by sliding doors to the wide corridor behind. The different users have been involved in the design process from the beginning and share a number of functions, such as out-of-school activities, playrooms, gymnasium, science lab, kitchen, staff room and the playground, according to their own wishes. The whole building is constructed of durable timber and this gives it a warm and child-friendly ambience. Great attention has been paid to sustainability (with an EPC of as much as one third below the standard requirements) and to the interior climate, that can be regulated separately in each classroom. In addition, there will be a green roof planted with sedum (stonecrop).


Architect: G. Cito
Category: Schools
Team: R. Visser, A. van Dijk, G. Beukman
Number: 0831
Status: Built
Year: 2008 - 2012
Client: CSW Groningen