Korthtielens
De Molenwiek
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The project
A transformation has given the typically 1970s pavilion school IKC De Molenwiek in Haarlem a fresh impetus and new life. Korthtielens has not made rigorous interventions, but rather carefully examined and fathomed out the existing building, in harmonious collaboration with the users (teachers and management) and Stichting Mevrouw Meijer. The location near the park, the wide hallways and beautiful atrium offers opportunities. The result is a school building that is much brighter, offers more space for the school’s methods and has improved enormously in terms of energy. De Molenwiek has a new entrance hall with library and has been extended towards the park around an inner garden. The classrooms also have a trapezoidal layout and large windows facing the natural surroundings.
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Committee
The transformation of De Molenwiek by Korthtielens shows how an existing design can be elevated to new levels with a careful approach and vision. Korthtielens has managed to complete a tricky project with a limited budget so successfully that it should serve as an example in the professional community. School managers, local municipalities and colleague architects can see in this project the qualities that are within reach when knowledge and dedication are applied to make a careful design. Stichting Mevrouw Meijer deserves a special mention for taking the lead in the sustainable transformation of existing school buildings.
