Children’s campus in the city centre

The architect Micha de Haas has designed a children’s campus in the narrow Elandsstraat in Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighbourhood. An annex to the 14th Montessori school, a gymnasium, spaces for out of school care and neighbourhood association ‘Ons Genoegen’ have been brought together under one roof. It is a dynamic building which changes throughout the course of the day because of all these different uses. Its outward appearance also changes with the seasons because of the vertical garden on the rear elevation.

An important consideration in the design process was that it should fit in with the old structure of alleyways in the Jordaan. These alleyways – which originally led to outhouses and courtyards – are gradually disappearing, are being filled with buildings or privatized. The plot Elandsstraat 101-103 is situated in an alleyway which once led to dwellings and a playground. Because this alleyway is not just a gateway but also gives access to a public area, the architect has positioned the building’s entrance in a side elevation. In order to lighten up the narrow dark alleyway, the façade is white and is clad with traditional white painted brickwork. The base is entirely of glass. A poem about playing by the writer, and former resident of the Jordaan, Mies Bouhuys has been printed on the glazed elevation near the entrance, a design by Roosje Klap. On the wall behind the entrance is a photograph of the old playground. An interesting feature is the renovated stone tablet of D’ Vergulde Dolfijn (the gilded dolphin) above the entrance; a reference to the Dolfijnengang, the alleyway that used to be situated here.

The Montessori character was taken into account when designing the children’s campus. The children work inside and outside the classroom and there is considerable interaction between the classes. There are two spacious classrooms on each storey, in between which is a raised communal space. In order to accommodate the entire programme, the architect has designed split levels, which are evident in the staggered windows in the front elevation. The building’s rear elevation, on the south side, has a vertical garden. The plants give seasonal solar protection. The foliage provides shade in the summer, while in the winter, when the leaves have fallen, optimum use is made of the light and heat that penetrate the building. The idea is that the children help with the planting and watch it cover the rear elevation as time goes by. There is also a greenhouse on the roof where the children have gardening lessons. (FB)