Steiner School

Sharp corners, contrasting styles and materials characterise the new building for the higher classes of the Steiner school ‘De Berkel’ in Zutphen. The contemporary and precocious style of the building reflects its users: young people between the age of 12 and 18. The layout is clear: three dynamically styled pavilions incorporating classrooms are arranged freely on the north side of an amorpheus central area. On the south side, a multifunctional theatre hall and gymnasium form the heart of the building. This out fits in well with the philosophy behind the type of education given in the school. ’The pavilion structure represents our desire for openness’, as well as the ‘open’ structure, the building differs from the usual style and materials preferred in anthroposophic circles in its design and charisma. Sharp corners determine the character, in contradiction to the traditional blunt corners. The façade covering is made from a modern material, zinc, instead of more traditional copper.