The Van Maerlant Lyceum in Eindhoven has embarked on a fresh journey with its newly renovated building, seamlessly blending the old with the new. While the school’s rich architectural heritage remains intact, the updates reflect a bold leap toward modern educational needs. With its roots in a 1953 design, the building has been thoughtfully revamped to offer a stimulating environment that promotes learning and creativity.
Here’s how cepezed, the architecture firm behind the project, approached the renovation and revitalization of this iconic educational space.
Preserving History, Restoring Charm
The Van Maerlant Lyceum has long been admired for its fine architectural details, including intricate brickwork and significant art installations. As part of the renovation, the goal was to restore these original features to their full glory while ensuring they integrated seamlessly with modern functionality. The familiar facade and artwork that students and the community have grown to love remain the focal points, preserving the school’s unique character.
The building’s restoration involved carefully maintaining its listed status, showing respect for the structure’s historical value while adapting it to serve new purposes. The result is a space that feels both familiar and fresh, paying homage to its past while looking forward to the future.
Adapting to Modern Education Needs
One of the primary objectives for the renovation was to bring the building in line with the demands of 21st-century education. The original classroom sizes were insufficient for modern teaching methods, and there were significant issues with acoustics and energy management. Cepezed responded by reconfiguring the space to create larger classrooms, ensuring the layout supports both traditional learning and more flexible, project-based collaboration.
The addition of more individual workspaces and areas designed for group projects aligns with current educational trends, encouraging independent study while also fostering teamwork. The upgraded insulation and energy management systems ensure that the school is both comfortable and energy-efficient, contributing to its sustainability.
Elegant Design with a Modern Twist
The renovation elegantly balances the building’s historical elements with a sleek modern design. While much of the original facade was retained on the street side, a completely new section was added at the rear of the building. The contrast between the more closed-off old section and the open, airy new extension creates a striking visual appeal.
A key feature of the new design is the incorporation of natural light, which floods the interior through glass facades and skylights. This not only enhances the architectural beauty but also provides a calming and inspiring atmosphere for students. The new section, which includes classrooms for creative and technical subjects, offers expansive views of Dommelpark and the river, grounding the building in its natural surroundings.
A Short Journey to a New Learning Environment
Despite the complexity of the renovation, the project was completed in just one and a half years. This rapid transformation has given the Van Maerlant Lyceum’s students and teachers a building that is both secure and inspiring. The thoughtful combination of historical preservation and modern updates ensures that the school offers an environment where exploration and creativity thrive.
Cepezed, along with cepezedinterieur, led the design and interior aspects of the project, working closely with various partners to bring this vision to life. Collaborators included Bosch Slabbers Landscape Architects, ICS Advisors, and Vianen Construction Consultancy, ensuring a cohesive approach to the school’s redesign.
Conclusion
The Van Maerlant Lyceum stands as a model for how educational spaces can evolve without losing their sense of history. By honoring its past while embracing modern design principles, the school provides an inspiring environment for both students and teachers. The renovation exemplifies how architectural transformations can create spaces that not only serve practical needs but also foster creativity, collaboration, and a deep connection to the surrounding environment.