© Harry Cock

On Friday November 21st, the new building for the (pre)-vocational secondary education school Noorderpoort and Ubbo Emmius in Stadskanaal, the Netherlands, officially opened. Mecanoo designed the multifunctional building, its interior and the adjoining landscape. The transparent building with its spruce slatted facade lies by a garden with generous stretches of water, and is highly sustainable. As an exceptional school, the building challenges students whilst inspiring them to learn.

Atrium as the beating heart
The school building has been designed from within with a central atrium acting as its beating heart, tying the various functions of the building into one cohesive whole. The grand staircase acts as the primary meeting point in the school, giving access to all other floors. Large ‘shop windows’ allow for each of the different departments within the school to present the work that is being done. This transparency encourages students to take pride in learning their craft. For instance: the building engineering department will show how a model home is being built and aspiring chefs can be seen preparing meals in the training kitchen.

Collaboration
An innovative new way of collaboration between educators, businesses and the city council has made the new school building possible. Several commercial parties are leasing space within the building to offer students an on-site work experience placement. The city of Stadskanaal is co-owner of the building and allows local sports associations to use the school’s facilities, such as the changing rooms, the canteen and the large terrace overlooking the playing fields.               

Sustainable
The building has been awarded BREEAM Very Good certification. Besides low energy consumption, smart acoustic solutions, an abundance of natural daylight and good public transport access, the building has gained credit for its emphasis on transparency. To all intents and purposes, the school is future proof and can be divided into multiple independently operated sections should its educational function eventually require less space. In the near future, however, this will not be the case: the modern educational environment of Noorderpoort and Ubbo Emmius has been very well received by its users.

© Harry Cock

Noorderpoort Vocational Training College is exemplary for its collaboration between education and business. Multiple organisations participated in this complex for a modern, learning environment that unites theory and practice. The collaborating parties include housing association Lefier, construction training and support organisations SSPB and IW Noord, and precision manufacturing company Witec. The design facilitates the users’ needs with a school building that challenges, inspires and, above all, excels regarding safety and sustainability.

Noorderpoort is designed from the inside out, with an atrium as the main meeting hub and connection with the rest of the school. Transparent window cases offer a peek into the various departments, each of which has its own identity. The transparent and open interior provides good legibility, allowing students to feel at ease.

© Harry Cock

© Harry Cock

© Harry Cock

All organisations and sports fields have their own entrance. The canteen’s spacious roof terrace overlooks the sports fields and school plaza, which contributes to the school’s sense of safety. 
The school has an inviting yet distinctive appearance with a wide canopy that indicates the main entrance and entry plaza. The building nestles in its green surroundings with a natural water landscape as its front garden, which offers students a welcome respite between classes.

© Harry Cock

© Harry Cock

The facade features a play of staggered volumes, each clad with either a timber skin or slats, and glass. Noorderpoort achieves a BREEAM Very Good certification. The application of measures such as a geothermal heat pump, sustainable materials, helophyte filter for water treatment, healthy indoor environment quality and high degree of flexibility contribute to this certification. 

© Mecanoo

Project Facts

Size:8,500 m2
Status:Completed 2011 - 2014 
Address:Sportparklaan, Stadskanaal, the Netherlands
Client:ROC Noorderpoort

Programme:(V)MBO school (Intermediate Vocational Training) 8,500 m², including layout of grounds with front garden and water areas, wooden path, lower-level bicycle park and spacious entrance courtyard.

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