Our goal in designing the new school building in Berlaar was to create a structure that harmonizes with the town’s distinctive ribbon development and meaningfully contributes to the local context.
We drew inspiration from the site’s unique characteristics and the broader area to guide our design. The route from the church of Berlaar through Pastorijstraat features a series of charming and characteristic buildings—including the church, monastery, castle, farm, and parsonage—all distinguished by their robust brick façades and striking profiles. The new school integrates seamlessly into this architectural rhythm, fitting comfortably within the streetscape.
Additionally, the school is set within a lush garden filled with mature trees and shrubs. To complement this natural setting, we envisioned the building as a grand country house, providing the final piece to the garden’s aesthetic puzzle. This approach ensures that the school not only integrates with its environment but also enriches it.
The building’s design features a unique profile that reflects the ribbon development while embodying the character of a villa in a garden. Its layout, inspired by the country house typology, includes living spaces oriented toward the garden and collective areas at the rear. The ground floor is conceived as a promenade of distinctive spaces, fostering exploration and interaction. Visitors can navigate from the entrance hall through the gym, refectory, and multipurpose nursery, experiencing various routes and moments within a cohesive and engaging environment. The school also features three characteristic staircases, diverse roof solutions, occasional balconies, vistas, and interior windows, ensuring every movement reveals a new perspective or unexpected encounter.