Melanchthon College Rotterdam

The Melanchthon College at Spaanseweg in Rotterdam provides pre-vocational secondary (VMBO) courses in Technology and Technical Services. In addition, there are plenty of sports facilities. The existing building was not sufficiently in keeping with the contemporary educational vision. For this reason, we designed a newbuild in which theory and practice are more aligned. The original building’s characteristic technology hall was preserved and integrated into the new building. The unique assembly hall was dispensed with and will serve as a new office for our own firm following the renovation.

We translated the school’s educational philosophy into a functional and inspiring learning environment with a recognisable identity, by dividing the building clearly into educational areas. These consist of two zones: an open square for practice and a more closed zone for theory. In the open squares, students work in a small-scaled environment, which is geared to practice and where good supervision is possible. The open character inspires students to investigate other disciplines. “Blobs” clothed with a fan of various materials have been placed in the open area and they give the different departments their own identity. The rear square, with a monumental plane tree, is bounded by water and provides a socially safe outdoor space.