The Gilde Vakcollege Techniek is the largest VMBO technology school in the Netherlands. The Gilde is unique for its focus on a wide number of technical profiles and the direct link with the business community via WeTech. The new building should reflect the future technical working environment, as well as offering a safe and secure learning environment. The CVO-AV school will also be housed in the new building.

Because the current building is extremely outdated, the Gilde is moving to the De Hoefslag/Haarweg location. This provides a unique opportunity to allow the new building to also act as a catalyst for the new Innovation Campus in Gorinchem-Noord.

The design for the Gilde is the missing link on the new campus. By dividing the building into three volumes that seem to shift in relation to each other, the building acquires a human dimension and nestles into the existing campus structure. Because we believe that technology should be seen, all the practice rooms are located on the ground floor. The practice clusters have large doors that open on the north and south sides, as well as a lot of glass in the central hall that connects all clusters in the building. The artisanship is also visible in the masonry.

1. Prefabricated brickwork: masonry veneer on base structure

2. Wooden ceiling: fitted with openings for supply and return of practical classrooms’ installation systems and concealed emergency overflow

3. Acoustic ceiling: wood-wool cement

4. Brickwork: purple nuanced, in random bond

5. Veranda: Concrete tiles 50×50 cm with solid base seating element