Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
The former Paulus Lyceum on Wandelboslaan in Tilburg is being transformed into a modern mbo campus for some 1,700 students. The original 1960 school building will be rearranged and supplemented with a new gymnasium and enlarged school wing. In addition, a new heart will be created in the building. The design by architects|and BiermanHenket combines recognition and functionality in a special way with meeting, collaboration and sustainability. The landscape design by LOLA landscape architects connects very naturally to this.
The transformation of Yonder Campus Wandelbos started in 2023 with a European tender. “architects|and|have done projects for Yonder before,” says architect and partner Frans Benjamins. “For this particular project, we contacted BiermanHenket, with the aim of grabbing the design brief together. Whereas architects|and|en specialize in educational projects, BiermanHenket adds years of experience in the restoration, renovation and redevelopment of monuments. An exquisite combination for this educational campus. Together we created an integral design team, which also involved various consultants, including LOLA landscape architects for the landscape design.”
The initial design brief involved the transformation of a monumental school building into a modern vocational training campus. “Despite the fact that both the old and new situation have an educational function, this means quite something,” Benjamins says. “The building was designed in a classical Catholic school structure with a chapel, cafeteria and numerous hallways with classrooms. A new wing was added in 1995, but this was not enough to meet the need for vocational education. Vocational education requires general classrooms. But also specific practical rooms, for which a thorough and careful rearrangement was necessary.” An important precondition here was sustainability, says Yvonne Segers-Van Wilderen, architect and director of BiermanHenket. “The building had to be tackled in such a way that it could again last at least 50 years. In addition, a culture change was required, with one central heart where students from all courses can meet and inspire each other and where cross-pollination is encouraged.”
“Yonder Campus Wandelbos houses not one but several MBO programs,” Benjamins emphasizes. “From childcare to transport & logistics, ICT and media: all students must soon find their own place in the building. Moreover, Yonder's support services must be fitted in logically and between the education. To make this possible, we started from the central heart. We transformed a former outdoor space into an inspiring indoor space with beautiful sightlines, connecting the various floors and wings and also facilitating the administration and facilities services.
The floors and wings were then recognizably arranged, breaking up the large building and creating a human scale.” Segers: “For the color scheme, we went back to the original colors of the building (blue, red and yellow), which increase recognizability and also form the backbone of the monument.”
“Instead of going through the building with an eraser, we respected the monumental value,” Benjamins says. “The function clearly follows the form of the building. We looked very carefully at what functions could be housed where, thus relieving the monument. For example, the 1995 wing had a concrete structure with columns, where we could very easily accommodate the larger functions that do not fit into the monument. Also unique is the chapel, which in the new situation is used as an exam hall. With this we are creating special value in the building, which we would never have achieved with new construction.”
“Following the layout issue, we also looked explicitly at how the building is approached,” Segers says. “Students should be invited to enter from different directions.” Of course, the monumental main entrance on Wandelboslaan was retained. “On the green campus side - where the bulk of students arrive on their bikes - we also added a new entrance that gives direct access to the building heart.”
Yonder Campus Wandelbos is located in a very beautiful and logical spot in Tilburg, Segers emphasizes. “The building structure goes along with this and consists of different volumes, which are rotated according to the urban planning structure of the time. Because the main entrance has been clearly repositioned, space has been created for a forecourt with beautiful old trees and lampposts, which are preserved and enhanced in our design. By always seeking the balance between old and new, it will soon be clearly visible that the monumental school has entered a new world.”
The landscape design goes along with this, says Peter Veenstra, landscape architect and co-founder of LOLA landscape architects. Thus, urban environments and green spaces are clearly separated. “When it comes to the paving, we created a simple and subdued figure, with a clear forecourt, backyard and connection to the bicycle parking. As a result, the attention goes almost entirely to the green landscape, which has been kept as natural and beneficial as possible. By spanning the axis of the Wandelboslaan, the link is sought with the Wandelbos a little further on. What is also special is the central spot by the water.” At various spots on campus, lively gathering places with many seating areas are created, he says. “By removing fences wherever possible, students will soon be able to enter the campus from different sides. This will create openness and space for cross-pollination, extending the idea of the building heart to the outside as well.”
