KC Muntendam

In what ways could a new school contribute to reducing CO2 emissions?

KC Muntendam

The KC (Children’s Centre) in Muntendam is a multifunctional and sustainable building located in a quiet residential area. It houses two primary schools, a preschool, an after-school care facility and a sports hall. It serves as a central meeting place for children, parents and local residents. The wooden supporting structure forms the basis of the building’s sustainable design: it is renewable, sequesters CO2 , and has a warm, natural appearance. Wood also provides pleasant acoustics and a calming learning environment. The façades are clad with a specially developed Groningen brick. This has been sawn into four sections from a single brick – a clever technique that prevents waste. The brick’s rugged appearance connects the building with the regional architectural tradition, and varying brickwork bonds provide natural light and refinement. At its centre is a multifunctional ‘heart’ comprising a library, grandstand, kitchen and creative studio. This open space encourages encounters, collaboration and shared use. Large expanses of glass allow daylight to penetrate deep into the building, creating a healthy and inspiring learning environment. All the classrooms are bright and spacious, with daylight on two sides and direct access to the outdoor area. Deep windowsills encourage reading and relaxation. Built-in, multifunctional cabinets help to create an uncluttered classroom layout. Thanks to its compact design, clever orientation and excellent insulation, the building is energy efficient. The flexible layout allows it to be adapted to future needs. KC Muntendam is not only an education and childcare facility, but also a sustainable focal point in the neighbourhood – designed to last for generations.  

data

Location
Muntendam, NL
Size
3.000 m²
Client
Gemeente Midden-Groningen
Discipline
Architecture
Program
Education
Period
2023-2026
Status
In Development
Partners
JVZ Ingenieurs, Toek Ingenieurs, Noorman Bouw- en milieu- advies

A green ring creates a buffer zone between the building and the neighbourhood

Among bricks and trees
In Muntendam, the local architectural tradition is closely linked to the use of distinctive Groningen bricks. This regional tradition was a key consideration in the choice of the materials for the new building. The existing school buildings also inspired the design of the new one, located in a quiet residential area of the village of Muntendam in the province of Groningen. The site is surrounded by mature trees that define the atmosphere and enhance its green character

A school that unites tradition and the future

Groningen brick with a clever relief
The façades are clad with a specially developed Groningen brick, which designed in collaboration with the Strating brickworks. Thanks to its ingenious relief, the brick can be used either as solid bricks or as strips. Four strips can be cut from a single brick, optimizing the use of the material and preventing waste. The brick’s rugged appearance aligns with Groningen’s building tradition, and variations in the brickwork create a subtle and refined interplay of light and shadow.

Two primary schools, a preschool, after-school care and a sports hall

The stepped shape provides a recognizable scale and lends visibility to the classrooms

The central core connects the surrounding functions and encourages interaction

Warm wood inside, timeless brickwork outside, blending into the surroundings

The clearly visible entrance is a neighbourhood landmark

A wooden interior
The wooden supporting structure defines the interior, giving it a warm and natural feel. Wood improves acoustics, creating a calming learning environment while also helping to sequester CO2. The built-in cabinets are multifunctional, bringing order and tranquillity to the classroom. Thanks to its compact design, clever orientation and excellent insulation, the building is energy efficient. The flexible layout allows the building to adapt to future needs.

 

Cross section

First Floor

Ground floor

At the announcement of the centre’s name, all the students took part in collectively forming the outline of the building.

Light, space and connection
At the heart of the building is the multifunctional core, which contains a library, gallery, kitchen and creative studio. The open layout encourages interaction and collaboration by promoting shared use. Large expanses of glass allow daylight to penetrate deep into the building, creating a healthy and inspiring learning environment. All the classrooms are bright and spacious, with windows on two sides and direct access to the outdoors. Each has one large and one small window. The large, composite window connects the classroom to the courtyard, creating a special focal point within the interior. The bay window can be used as a seating and play area, or as a display case.