Located on the outskirts of Barendrecht, Calvijn Groene Hart is a Christian school for secondary education. A safe, intimate school with a warm heart, Calvijn Groene Hart is a place where despite a relatively large population of 1250, the students never feel lost. The landscape character of the green campus is enhanced by the school’s organic form and rounded corners. Most of the bicycle parking is smartly integrated below the school, and parking spaces are placed out of sight.
The lively and warm atmosphere is immediately felt by students, staff and visitors upon arriving in the orange-coloured heart of the school. This space is not only the primary connecting hub of the school but also a social space where students can sit, linger or stand on the tribune-like stairs. Daylight floods through skylights into the staggered voids below. Three wings converge in this open, central atrium.
Two wings house five teaching groups, each with its own department, and classrooms clustered around an open study area. This common space is intended for students to use as a base for studying either alone or in groups. Shared functions are housed in the third wing. A distinctive combination of orange and brown bricks characterises the facade. In the interior, the timber frames and plywood wall cladding lend a warm atmosphere that contrasts with the cool concrete stairs and glass windows.
A cleverly designed structure on the upper floors results in a column-free assembly hall with an open view. The design of Calvijn Groene Hart meets the Frisse School guidelines where C02 -controlled ventilation, floor heating and cooling and separately operable windows contribute to a healthy and comfortable learning environment.