Renovation Fons Vitae Lyceum | Amsterdam

Modern, but preserving old details

Beautifully renovated stained glass windows betray original age and appearance

Due to a devastating fire, the Fons Vitae Lyceum in Amsterdam was no longer suitable as an educational institution. For this, the devastation was too severe. However, it was reason to take a fresh look at the building and list the things that would make the Lyceum a contemporary educational institution again.

Plans for renovation were already alive; they were even being implemented. But now that, due to a fire, these had to make way for more rigorous measures, the requirements also changed. The Fons Vitae Lyceum went for "more space, more light and transparency, a modern climate system and, above all, a sustainable building that retains beautiful old details. 

Additional building layer
Salverda Bouw started the work with extensive asbestos remediation, followed by demolition of the building down to the shell. By raising the shell with a new steel structure, it was able to expand the school with a new storey. "It was a challenge to make the new steel structure fit seamlessly with the existing building," says Jaap Bos, senior work planner at Salverda Bouw. "To do this, we first studied the existing building closely. Then we measured it in 3D and discussed the construction drawings with the structural engineer."

Weakening foundation
The decision to expand the school with an additional floor also meant that the building became heavier. This called for reinforcement of the existing foundation. To this end, Salverda Bouw broke open the existing floors to drive 27 additional internally driven tubular steel piles into the ground below. "We installed the piles along the facades and in the crawl space," Bos says. "Over the piles we laid steel beams, which now support the walls." A skylight on the schoolyard side of the new roof provides an abundance of light on the upper floor. 

Old elements have been preserved.

Logistics & Security
Building in Amsterdam generally means a technical and logistical challenge. The renovation of the Fons Vitae Lyceum was no exception. There was no space around the school building to set up a construction site. Salverda Bouw solved this problem by partially closing off the street in front of the school building and setting up this space as a building site. From this construction site - cordoned off with fences - it could give full attention to safety.

Two construction streams
"Right now we are making the canopy wind and watertight," Bos says. "After that, we are less dependent on the weather and can deliver the side wing on schedule in the summer of 2019. For this reason, we have chosen two construction streams. In the side wing, we are already in the finishing stage. This raised the question of whether this wing can also be commissioned earlier. For this we are now investigating whether a cut-off is possible in terms of installation. After all, one installation has been set up for the entire school."

Sustainability Ambition
The installation is leading the way in the sustainability ambition of the Fons Vitae Lyceum. It wanted a sustainable and gas-free school building. Bos: "This is achieved by a thermal storage system, supplemented by three heat pumps in the courtyard. Heat loss is limited by the use of HR+++ glass, airtight window frames, good insulation of roof and exterior walls and low-temperature heating." 

In addition to all these practical measures, the building is being restored to its former glory. The suspended ceilings are removed and the classrooms become larger, but without losing sight of aesthetics. For example, the beautiful stained-glass windows provide warm light; at the same time, they betray the original age and appearance of the building.