Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
Bringing a school building from 1914 up to today’s educational standards without compromising the spirit of the historic landmark. That was the challenge facing the renovation of the Berlage Lyceum in Amsterdam. Two nearly identical school buildings, both designated as national monuments, were thoroughly gutted, renovated, and made sustainable to meet today’s standards by Salverda Bouw. In the process, a number of surprises came to light.
Salverda was selected as a construction team partner as early as 2022. “Together with the school, the architect, the contractors, and other partners, we first conducted an extensive study to determine the best way to approach both buildings,” explains Wilbert van de Weg, project manager at Salverda Bouw. “Initially, the plan was to renovate the two buildings simultaneously. It soon became clear that this would be too burdensome for both the school and the construction process. That’s why we opted for a two-phase approach.” Prior to the renovation, the entire complex was scanned in 3D. The point cloud was incorporated into a BIM model, in which architectural and mechanical/electrical solutions could be fully developed.
On March 8, 2023, the first building underwent a complete renovation. The building was gutted down to its shell. “The biggest challenge was preserving the historic details,” says Van de Weg. “The school contains numerous murals and other works of art. New door frames and even steel beams sometimes had to be installed literally centimeters below an authentic mural. Working closely with the architect and historic preservation officials, we constantly sought appropriate solutions to prevent damage.” Hidden historic elements were also restored wherever possible. “Old wooden floors and seagrass between the beams, which served as sound insulation, have been preserved.”
According to Van de Weg, whenever materials needed to be replaced, they made a point of exploring reuse. “For example, when enlarging the classrooms that were too small, we used salvaged steel for new steel frames,” he explains. Even seemingly minor details were given attention. “For the steel hinges and latches of the characteristic casement windows, we were eventually able to track down the original supplier in Germany. New parts were manufactured to match the historic design exactly. All these efforts meant that the renovation of the first building section took longer than anticipated. However, those experiences proved invaluable for the second building, which was completed considerably faster.”
The renovated building, which is over a hundred years old, now once again meets the “Frisse Scholen” standards. Both buildings have been completely converted to non-gas heating and equipped with new ventilation, heating, and electrical systems. Solar panels and a geothermal heat source contribute to making the buildings more sustainable. In the facades, the single-pane glass was replaced with historic double-pane glass. A huge step forward has also been made in terms of acoustics. “The hallways used to be known for their poor acoustics,” Van de Weg explains. “New acoustic ceilings and floors now provide a much quieter learning environment.” Even the schoolyard has been restored to its historic appearance. “The tiles were removed, the sewer system was replaced, and the paving was laid anew according to the original layout, based on historical photographs,” explains Van de Weg, who is justifiably proud of the final result. “Together with the architect, the school, and the construction team, we’ve succeeded in bringing the old and the new together in a fantastic way. Now, education can once again be provided properly in this centuries-old building.”
