At the exact location where the Dutch high school the Christelijk Lyceum Veenendaal (CLV) opened its doors more than fifty years ago, a beautiful, future-proof and (almost) energy-neutral building has been constructed. Reuse, circularity, and identity are central to its regenerative design. In an inspiring process that was characterised by co-creation and high circular ambitions, outstanding quality has always been our starting point. For the interior design, NOAHH has collaborated with EX Interiors. Sustainable building practices | Circular, futureproof architecture We believe it is important to preserve and cherish the existing and exceptional qualities of architecture. A respectful, innovative and modern handling of the existing main building of the CLV is therefore an extension of our future-oriented and circular ambition. The two existing structures of the old school campus have been transformed and connected to each other by adding a new volume: the new social heart of the school. Simultaneously, the building has been transformed from a traditional school with many dark, narrow corridors, into a multifunctional learning landscape that allows for new forms of flexible learning and cross-overs. We have designed a more compact, energetically sustainable building, as well as creating substantially more space for educational purposes. The spacious volume between these two rigid existing structures creates a fluent transition from the interior to the exterior space, and acts as a connector to the lush green Kerkewijk neighbourhood, thus ensuring a strong embedment in the area. We have devised many elements in our design as a toolkit: the school building is therefore largely biodegradable, recyclable and circular in future. The façade is fully circular and reusable, and designed in such a way that hardly any waste was left. In our circular strategy, we made the conscious choice to preserve and reuse a large part of the construction of the old school building, and reuse elements elsewhere. About 44 percent of the old concrete construction has been incorporated into the building, and the remaining concrete has been ground into granulate and used for the new construction. The original art of the old building is also preserved: the monumental relief by the artist Hedda Buijs adorns the entrance in its new condition. Many existing elements have also been preserved in the layout of the campus, with the existing, monumental trees being spared so that the building remains connected to the green surroundings. In addition to the direct reuse of the concrete construction, the remaining elements that could not be used in the new building, were reused elsewhere and given a new "home". Commendable examples are the steel construction of the roof, wooden beam layers, the graffiti panels on the facade, and the old curtains that were made into hammocks. As a client, the school has high ambitions in terms of sustainability and circularity, and takes a proactive, educational role in the construction process. Sharing knowledge about circularity becomes an integral part of education, and also demonstrates the potential of sustainable design as the basis for a successful learning environment. By involving students at an early stage in their regular Science classes, the sustainability concept that underlies the design encourages them to think about how to deal with (green) energy and reuse. Human centricity and social impact | Social heart of the building Our goal was to design an innovative school building that contributes to flexible learning styles and social interaction. We have transformed the mono-functional school into a three-dimensional learning landscape that makes up the character of the school. The school has literally and figuratively been opened up, creating an atrium with plenty of daylight that enters through the once commonly used local industrial shed roofs. The classrooms, grouped in different clusters, are situated in a ring around this atrium, thus creating social heart for the students to meet and connect. The new learning environment will be an informal meeting place that offers space for work, relaxation, brainstorming sessions, observation and concentration. Each cluster has its own identity, as can be seen in the Arts & Culture and Science departments, which are located in the wood-clad cabins above the learning landscape. These large volumes contain large display windows, allowing students to exhibit their work; fashion creations that were previously exhibited in a dusty corner underneath the stairs. This inspires the students in an artistic manner and allows for the development of talent. Beyond functionality For the interior design, we have explored how the eye-catching petrol-coloured staircase can be more than just a functional connector. This resulted in a beautiful, iconic sculptural movement that also offered the opportunity to intertwine the open corridors and diverse learning landscapes. The striking colour was deliberately chosen as a complementary addition to the wooden look in the atrium. The staircase is made of rubber and meanders over the learning landscapes from the ground floor to the second floor. For the other floors, the linoleum has been replaced by a minimalistic trowelled floor. In the central atrium, all materials contribute to the high-quality acoustics: the characteristic shed roofs, the wood-clad laboratories and the furniture. For the interior, we sought a balance between functionality, comfort, maintenance and the individual wishes of the users, thus resulting in a social, comfortable and safe environment where the students can work and learn together, give presentations, relax, but also study for the next test. For the classrooms, we chose warm, light grey shades with a distinct accent colour accent. By opting for a modular design, recycled materials, distinct colour usage and natural wood, all furnishings are naturally integrated into the interior and add to the serenity of the building and the well-being of the students and teachers of the school. Creativity and innovation | A learning monument for the future The newly transformed building is exemplary in how we should preserve the past in a respectful and innovative manner, thus telling a compelling story. The school building challenges students to contribute and add something to the storyline of the building, and offers constant interaction between old and new. The building functions like an Italian village square: with an arrangement of different height levels, lots of natural daylight, a central atrium that can be used flexibly, diversity of learning places and balconies and shop windows to exhibit one’s work. The building has been given a strong new identity and we have succeeded in realising the maximum floor surface for educational purposes. We have been able to create a richer educational environment where students are encouraged to develop their talents in a safe, inclusive manner.