Platform on new construction, renovation, restoration and transformation
“The Gilde Vocational College of Technology has a rich history, and we wanted to reflect that in our new building. Technology lives and breathes here.” That’s how Krijn Redert, the school’s director, describes the brand-new educational building in Gorinchem. What began as a vision to take technical education to the next level resulted in a robust and inspiring building. We spoke with consulting and construction management firm HEVO and the Gilde Vocational College about the creation of this impressive new construction project.
HEVO, an expert in educational facilities, became involved in this project in 2019. “We started with a feasibility study, a Statement of Requirements, and inspirational visits to other schools,” says Winifred van den Bosch, director of HEVO. “After that, we oversaw the project management behind the design and construction process.” The need for a new building for the Gilde Vakcollege quickly became clear. “The old building no longer met today’s requirements,” says Redert. “The practical training rooms were too small, and expanding them proved financially unfeasible. The municipality therefore fully committed to building a new facility.”
“The goal behind the new building is to give technology a face more than ever before,” Redert emphasizes. “Together with the municipality, the business community, and our foundation, we made this new building possible.” Van den Bosch adds: “HEVO has a lot of experience with educational facilities. In the Netherlands, we see that VMBO schools are struggling to keep technical programs viable. The Gilde Vakcollege, on the other hand, is succeeding very well in this regard. That’s truly unique. That’s why it truly deserves a sustainable, modern, new facility.”
The new building, designed by De Zwarte Hond, exudes craftsmanship. “The sawtooth roofs give the building an industrial character, but the extensive use of wood keeps it warm and inviting at the same time,” explains Mark van Straten, project manager at HEVO. “The oak staircases, the exposed mechanical systems throughout the building, and the large auditorium are real eye-catchers.” Redert adds: “The Gilde is truly a community, a kind of village where everyone knows each other. We’ve beautifully captured that feeling in the new building. The wooden details add a lot of warmth.” The school deliberately chose a design that puts technology in the spotlight. “Technology is often hidden, but here it’s meant to be seen. We’ve even taken that idea literally: for example, we’ve created stickers that cover the systems to show what’s inside. That’s what we call taking pride in technology!” Moreover, the building is completely energy-neutral, with 1,200 solar panels on the roof. This makes it not only a technical feat but also a sustainable choice.
The result is a building that everyone involved is justifiably proud of. “The entire process was a collaborative effort,” Van den Bosch emphasizes. “Everyone contributed their expertise.” Redert adds: “As a school, we really put our heart and soul into it. I’m very proud of the entire process; it’s truly a group of people who wanted to create something beautiful together. HEVO’s experience with this type of educational facility project was also very valuable. HEVO ensured that the responsibilities of all parties were clear, and that enabled us to achieve a wonderful result.” According to Van den Bosch, the school’s enthusiasm was contagious: “You could feel that passion for technology at every stage of the process.”
The Gilde Vakcollege Techniek is more than just a school; it’s a technical center for the region. “Our students come from a wide area, from Rotterdam to Tiel,” says Redert. “We train skilled professionals that small and medium-sized businesses urgently need.” The new building is also multifunctional: companies offer evening courses there, and collaboration with other educational institutions on campus is encouraged. In addition, the school is unique in how technology is visible in every corner. ’The building exudes craftsmanship,“ says Van den Bosch. ”From the exposed systems to the warm materials: everything radiates technology. It inspires both the students and the companies that collaborate with the school.“ He envisions an inspiring future: ”This building shows what’s possible when you give technology room to breathe. It serves as a model for other schools.“ Redert hopes the new building will also inspire others in the region: ”It’s a beacon for technology, and that’s exactly what our sector needs.“
