ROC Aventus

Zutphen, Netherlands

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ROC Aventus

Zutphen, Netherlands

Firm

Type

Educational › Elementary School

YEAR

2010

SIZE

300,000 sqft - 500,000 sqft

ROC Aventus location Zutphen, fills a gap that existed on the west side of the station square; the arrival of this building has given the public space a sharper profile and it is now actually adopting the shape of a square.The concept anchors the building in its environment. The historical street pattern of the surrounding areas is projected in the façade in the form of window openings.The materials used in the construction of the four levels of the building are a reflection of the surrounding areas:Ground floor: stone denotes the station square,- First floor: wood forms a connection with the old town, in which wood was extensively used as a building material in the past- Second floor: metal is symbolic of the activity in the new area to be developed on the north side of the railway, which will be known as ‘De Mars’- Top floor: the white plaster was inspired by the white houses on the quayside of the IJssel.The building consists of four L-shape floors twisted away from one other. The characteristic L-shape has created recesses on every floor (or: empty spaces), which, thanks to the rotation, lie at a different angle on every level. It seems as if every floor is opening its arms to a different part of the city.The twisted stack of the Ls has created both small empty spaces between every two floors as well as a central empty space that transcends all levels of the building. The empty spaces ensure that a large amount of daylight is able to penetrate into every part of the building.What is more, the empty spaces also fulfil a social role within the school. The building is home to four teaching sectors (Culture & Theatre, Health, Technology and Business). In principle, each sector has its own floor. ROC Aventus wishes to prevent this demarcation between the various sectors. In this respect, the empty spaces serve as platforms for spontaneous meetings and exchanging of ideas, and as places for collaboration.Energy efficiency and the use of sustainable, environmentally-friendly materials were important considerations in the design process right from the start. The tiles are therefore reusable, and untreated Plato wood was chosen for all wooden components.The energy required is limited as far as possible thanks to passive design measures. On the south side, the overhangs of the floors provide welcome shade. A large amount of indirect daylight is able to enter the building on all sides. These passive design aspects are supplemented by concrete core activation and a geothermal heat pump. By combining these measures, there is no longer a need for active cooling in the form of air conditioning or heating with radiators. This results in a healthy indoor climate with significantly reduced dust formation, fewer allergens in the air and fewer headache symptoms. Students and teachers are able to focus entirely on the teaching.A work of art by Kaptein Roodnat, which has been incorporated in the building, forms a constant theme running through the building, thereby promoting the link that exists between the sectors. Artist Stijn Roodnat calls his own work of art the organ of the building: “Starting as a runner and as the main artery at the entrance, then magnificent and general with few details, but as it gets deeper into the building, it branches off and becomes wider and wider and gains personality until it fuels the farthest ends of the building, in an almost subtle way.”

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ROC Aventus

Zutphen, Netherlands

ROC Aventus

Zutphen, Netherlands

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team