13 April 2011
 

ABC SCHOOL

Today in Amersfoort, with a cheerful party, our large-scale renovation of a so-called MFA (multifunctional accommodation) or broad school was opened by alderman Menno Tigelaar. In Amersfoort, they call these ABC schools. At the time, the old 1970s school building had been erected for three schools, as was usual in a well-polluted new housing estate. One Catholic, one public and one Protestant Christian. The public one had already disappeared over time, the Catholic Kinderhof and Protestant Christian Windroos, were still in the now seriously outdated building. We were asked to help make room for a bso, cooking studio, shared large hall, but above all to ensure that crime and vandalism were reduced and the schools were given a fresh, new look, where it is pleasant to play and learn for the whole neighbourhood.

Indeed, local youth had developed the habit of riding mopeds on the roof at night. Some measures had already been taken against this, but they did not make the situation any happier.

Together with Theo Hauben, we made numerous large and small interventions and improvements, for an extremely limited budget. For instance, the three storerooms were removed from the schoolyard. A red carpet was laid to accentuate the entrances to the two schools and the bso. The low parts of the building have been replaced by higher pieces, so you can no longer climb on the roof. In the higher pieces, the new functions and extensions of existing ones were made. The main entrances in glass with laminated wooden posts and beams, the side entrances and storerooms in black aluminium. In one go, new ceilings, new fire alarm system, new insulating glazing, everything painted, in short, almost everything fresh and new again.
The zoning of the schoolyard was used to create different programming per zone. In addition, a new bicycle shed/container storage area was built against the existing sports hall.
 

existing situation without storage
 

with the new additions and new schoolyard structure

The renovated building has been in use for a while now. The response from school leaders and teachers has been heartwarming. They are very happy with their "new" building and it appears to be working and using fine.
 

Before,
 

and after renovation
 

Before,
 

and after the renovation.
 

The construction workers gave two table football games as gifts to the schools, but they had to be quickly assembled during the councillor's speech. That went off at lightning speed. Because even when they go to a party, they turn out to have more than enough screwdrivers and hammers with them. Are you a builder for after all.