Label Architecture

Arc En Ciel School

Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert

ARC EN CIEL SCHOOL

Label Architecture

ARCHITECTS
Label Architecture

PHOTOGRAPHS
Stijn Bollaert

AREA
1000.0 m2

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Región de Bruselas-Capital, Belgium

CATEGORY
Schools

Text description provided by architect.

Located in the midst of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode - the neighborhood with the highest population density in Belgium - the already crowded school and daycare centre "Arc-en-ciel" wanted to increase its capacity with extra classrooms along with new outdoor spaces.

Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert
Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert
Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert

An internal organisation allows to gather an ensemble of smaller functions and to turn them into two big classrooms on each floor.

Furthermore, the duplication of the existing facade creates a new circulation, avoids an enfilade of classes and provides extra storage space for the pupils.

Moreover, the new facade drastically improves the overall thermal performance of the building.

Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert
Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert

These same tactics are applied to provide more outdoor space for the school. By inserting a concrete structure, the ground surface of the playground is doubled.

This "table" covers a collection of playground equipment on the ground floor, while its roof is used as an enclosed sports field.

Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert
Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert

On the corner, the cavity between the two buildings is filled with the addition of 4 new classrooms.

The existing staircase is extended to giving access to the new level and its roof surface.

Here, accompanied by an impressive view on Brussels, the daycare centre finds its new outdoor space and presents itself to the neighborhood.

Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert
Arc En Ciel School
© Stijn Bollaert


Arc En Ciel School
Ground floor plan
Arc En Ciel School
Second floor plan
Arc En Ciel School
Third floor plan


Arc En Ciel School
Axo

Label Architecture
T +32 2 5028995
Label Architecture
Chau. de Neerstalle 24, 1190 Brussel, Belgium