de Brink

location
Laren

client
Gooise Scholen Federatie

completion
2005

project team
Snelder architecten

photography
Luuk Kramer

College De Brink was built in two phases on the site of a former MAVO/LEAO school in the center of the village of Laren (NH). Preparation and construction took a total of eight years, from 1994 to 2001. During this period, many developments took place that influenced school construction. Examples include economies of scale and mergers in secondary education, the establishment of VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education), and the decentralization of educational facilities. In addition, cultural and social developments also influenced space requirements and the demands placed on spaces in schools. 
Finally, current educational insights are also important for the design, layout, and furnishing of schools.

The building clearly shows that school is not only conceived as a place to learn, but also as a place where young people meet and undertake joint activities. 

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The client wanted above all an optimistic building. Based on this vision, the auditorium, the stage, and the central indoor street have a prominent place in the school in the first phase of the new construction. Another wish of the client was that there should be good routing in the building. The routes are logical and clear. Every morning, 1,050 students need to move quickly through the school, so wide staircases and corridors have been created. There are also places where students can retreat. 

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This optimism is also reflected in the design of the central entrance hall: lots of glass has been used and pupils are welcomed into a spacious, light-filled entrance area. 

Two other requirements that the school had to meet were flexibility and safety. Safety has been achieved in part through the extensive use of glass, which improves visibility. Lockers have been installed in the cloakroom in the central hall, and the new bicycle parking facilities will make the living environment even safer.
The school management and architect also wanted the building's technology to be visible because of the learning effect on children. For example, the steel construction of the canopy over the inner street clearly shows how joints can be made. 

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