'Design & Build is top sport'

Sports and recreation is a specialized market that requires vision and empathy. Wind Design + Build can provide this excellently. The Frisian contract and construction management agency has been at home in consulting, design, construction, operation and maintenance of social real estate projects for three decades.

The 20 committed and skilled architects, structural engineers, engineers, project managers and project leaders of Wind Design + Build realize turnkey/general contracting projects throughout the Netherlands. "We are responsible from the first sketch to operation, completely relieving clients of all their worries," says director Roelof Wind. "We mainly realize social real estate, including sports halls, swimming pools, multifunctional centers and schools. Here we work mostly commissioned by (semi-)governments. With the Program of Requirements as a basis, we make a design and offer. We go further than simply translating the basic document. The trick is to discover between the lines what the client really needs. But also to translate this into a unique and creative design that positively surprises the client. For example, in the new sports hall in Diemen, the new swimming pool in Tiel, the new sports center in Kaatsheuvel and the new secondary school in Beilen, we have succeeded excellently in this."

Visibility and meeting

On the corner of Linthorst Homanweg and De Omloop in Beilen VOLTA was recently completed, a new 5,411-square-meter secondary school merging secondary schools Dr. Nassau College and CS Vincent van Gogh. Space has also been created for youth center Chill-in. Commissioned by the Municipality of Midden-Drenthe, Wind Design + Build provided the contract management, design and realization of the secondary school and gymnasium De Sprong, which was realized 100 meters away. In addition, the contract and construction management firm is responsible for the construction of the sports fields, schoolyards, connecting bridge and other infrastructure. This relieves the municipality of all its concerns. "In the school we have created a combination of traditional classrooms and learning squares," says Wind. "For example, in the enlarged corridor areas, teaching can be done in small groups. Visibility and meeting are also encouraged here. The split-level layout around a central atrium also contributes to this and convinced the Municipality of Midden-Drenthe to choose our design."

Subdued but sparkling

The specific shape of the site determined the shape of the building and its all-sided orientation, says Wind. "At the important sight location, a sparkling building will rise, providing Beilen with contemporary accommodation for modern education. Much attention has also been paid to sustainability and circularity. For example, the school's facade is made of ceramic panels, which can be used elsewhere at the end of the building's life. In addition, we installed an all-electric climate system and 420 PV panels. The interior uses a lot of wood, such as bamboo and Fraké, ensuring a warm and friendly appearance." The schoolyard is bordered by a robust green structure that provides shelter, traffic safety and a green appearance.

The facade of the gymnasium is done in wood, giving this building its own identity. "Again, an all-electric climate system and the latest, state-of-the-art technology was chosen," Wind said. In addition to the school, the gymnasium can also be used by clubs and for free rental.