Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
The assignment consists of the project management of the demolition, temporary housing and new construction of Openluchtschool de Recon VSO in Rotterdam. One of the first steps in this process was the selection of a design team: an architect and his consultants. 'After years of making plans, we are finally getting down to business,' says Terry Sibbing, site director of secondary special education (VSO) at the Recon. 'The new building proposal by RoosRos Architects that is now on the table fits perfectly with our vision for a sustainable and orderly school building with possibilities for future expansion.'
OLS de Recon is a school for long-term sick children. Besides primary education (at the Olijflaan location in Schiebroek), the Recon at Dordtsestraatweg offers VSO education, subdivided into practical education, college (vmbo and havo) and Recon op Maat for the most vulnerable pupils. 'Although the Recon wants above all to have the appearance of a 'normal' school, the care function of the school does mean that additional requirements are placed on the new accommodation, such as space for nurses and relaxation rooms, wider corridors and stabling areas for cab vans on the school grounds. The addition of the healthcare function to the school concept makes this housing project especially interesting for us. We can put our expertise in the Education and Healthcare sectors to good use here," says sector manager Patricia van Hest of Drees & Sommer.
The Recon's current building on Dordtsestraatweg no longer satisfies spatially, functionally and technically. Moreover, in order to be able to accommodate the growing number of pupils in a few years' time, Stichting BOOR and the municipality of Rotterdam have agreed to build new and sustainable accommodation of over 2,000 m² GFA. From the mass studies and feasibility studies, the scenario of demolition and new construction appeared to be the best option. In this scenario, the existing buildings will be replaced by a sustainable new building that is in line with the Recon's vision: a compact, orderly building, where educational spaces are grouped around a central heart, where expansion is also possible for possible future growth. A focal point for the design was the integration of the school into the park-like surroundings. RoosRos Architecten scored high on both the user orientation and the integration into the park-like environment. This makes Hanneke Kamphuis, project manager of BOOR and Coen Booster, manager of the Education Housing Construction Team, extremely satisfied: 'RoosRos has put itself well in the shoes of the users of the school and at the same time looked at how the new building can complete the area development'.
Besides Patricia van Hest, Drees & Sommer's project team for De Recon consists of project manager Esther Penders; both have a strong affinity and extensive experience with the development of new buildings in education. In previous projects within the framework contract with Stichting BOOR, they have worked together to their full satisfaction. 'The organization of both the demolition, temporary housing and new construction of the Recon is a beautiful, complete assignment,' says Esther. 'We are involved from an early stage of the planning up to the completion of the new school. In those two or three years, we work intensively with the school, BOOR, municipality, design team, contractors to deliver a successful product together. The special target group and aspects such as sustainability and compatibility with the environment make the project extra interesting!
During the construction work, the school will operate from temporary housing on the site. This means that these flexible classrooms, canteen, medical room, teachers' room and general areas will be realized first. Construction of the new school building is scheduled to begin in early 2023 and can be occupied during the Christmas vacations of that year.
