LEVS Architects

Dogger’s Corner

Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten

DOGGER'S CORNER

LEVS architecten

ARCHITECTS
LEVS architecten

PROJECT YEAR
2006

AREA
14500.0 m²

LOCATION
The Netherlands

CATEGORY
Housing

Text description provided by architect.

A paradoxical task: a closed juvenile institute with maximum security in combination with an environment where 144 juvenile residents between the ages of 12 and 18 can receive optimal treatment.

Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten
Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten

The open and relaxed design of the Federal Institute for Youths (RIJ) makes for a privileged environment inside the protection and limitations of a wall.

The RIJ is built like a village, with homes and streets, a school and a sportsbuilding.

Inside the oval shaped ring wall are 12 pavilions with living and sleeping quarters for 10 youths situated around a walkway.

Although it is a covered walkway, it is open on the side so that weather and wind can be felt during the daily walk to school and sports.

Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten
Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten

The RIJ is built like a village, with homes and streets, a school and a sportsbuilding.

The walkway (street) connects the pavilions with the general buildings in the center: the sports building, the education and treatment building and the general offices. Between these buildings are 3 remote outdoor areas.

In 2006 a new pavilion was opened. The expansion was made on a section of the transportation site of De Doggershoek and is connected inside with the walkway in the RIJ.

The expansion offers living and sleeping accommodation for 2 groups of 12 youths. On the ground floor are the large living area, auxiliary rooms and team rooms.

Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten
Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten

A large void connects the living area with a large hall way on the top floor. The entrances to the sitting/sleeping quarters are uniquely lit by natural daylight.

Color schemes respond differently to the light and create a constantly changing atmosphere and intensity.

Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten
Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten

The pavilion is an abstract building, its few windows interact with the white grey wooden façade, and the deep folds that are created give the pavilion a mysterious appearance. The interior, with its halls and patios on the other hand, are a warm red brown.

The RIJ borders on the city and rural area and is in harmony with the heritage of the old seaport Den Helder; a fourth bulwark in addition to the three existing historical forts.

Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten
Dogger’s Corner
© LEVS architecten

It is an archetype of a building where there is no relation between inside and outside: for Den Helder the building is the wall and a fort, but inside the wall the RIJ is a village in its own right.


Dogger’s Corner
Concept
Dogger’s Corner
Situation

LEVS Architects
T +31 20 6735762
LEVS Architects
Cruquiusweg 111D, 1019 AG Amsterdam, Netherlands