School cluster carefully embedded in the Frisian ribbon-farm landscape

Five schools for special primary education are to join forces in a single, comfortable new building at a green location on the northern edge of Drachten in the Frisian ribbon-farm landscape. A well-equipped home-base, optimally accessible for the entire region, with a focus on everyone's challenges and talents instead of their disabilities. Samen Kansrijk/Potential Together!

Samen Kansrijk! will occupy two strips of ex-farmland: one will be for parking and one for the building itself. This is a challenging, elongated, alder-lined, narrow plot of 150 by 25 metres. Around 10,000 m2 GFA of two-storey building are to be constructed: a friendly, recognisable building, well embedded in the rural environment with plenty of outdoor space for nature-play.

DP6 has designed a clear, elongated volume, separated into three parts, creating a self-evident forecourt where the main entrance is located, and sheltered outdoor play areas. The gently curving wooden facades give the whole a friendly appearance. There are several side entrances, located at the building’s junction-points and at the ends. Being transparent and inviting they are easy to find, and from these the children go to their own areas within the building. On the north side of the school, a separate sports complex has been designed comprising three gymnasiums and a therapeutic pool. The transparent façade and curved corners also lend this building a friendly appearance, and provide a connection to the green surroundings.