Murmellius gymnasium

extention with a gym and classrooms

The Murmellius gymnasium Alkmaar faced with an increasing lack of space. For that reason ther were already placed some temporary classrooms in the courtyard. The temporary classrooms have been replaced by new permanent premises. The school also needed a gym, offices and storage space. The existing building is a beautiful brick building from the thirties. The building embraces a small courtyard whith two monumental trees.

The key principles in the design of the extension were enhancing the spatial quality of the small courtyard and the existing building, optimal incorporation of the program for a low budget and realizing a building that stimulates the senses.

The extension is split into two parts. The gym is a substantial volume of about 24 by 16 meter, 6 meter high. To bring this volume to a size that relates to the small courtyard it is half sunken. The gym is by its orientation perpendicular to the existing building and use of red brick the connecting element between the new building and the existing building . The classrooms and offices are housed in an abstract volume above the gym. The wedge shape and the overhanging portion of this volume, create a sense of space in the courtyard.

On the south side, where in the future a hotel will be realized, the facade is closed and executed in stucco. To make the movement of students in the school visible at the location of the stairs a large window is realized. The side of the courtyard, the north facade is made off screen-printed glass. Here comes the building to life, and the senses are stimulated. The surroundings and the color of the sky are reflected by the building and the building changes color, clarity and transparency depending on the weather, time of day, the season and the position from which the building is observed. The old building and monumental trees in the courtyard are reflected in the new building.

Location: Alkmaar