College Da Vinci: Designing Educational Buildings that Blend Colour and Context

College Da Vinci: Designing Educational Buildings that Blend Colour and Context

In the heart of Perwez, Belgium, College Da Vinci has undergone a remarkable transformation with a bold architectural expansion that embodies its progressive educational philosophy. The project, spearheaded by ÁRTER Architects, artfully blends the old and the new, meticulously preserving the original 1968 structure while introducing a lively, contemporary design. This expansion is not solely about creating additional space, it represents a seamless integration of state-of-the-art functionality and aesthetic balance, all achieved using durable, sustainable materials to ensure long-lasting impact. Delve into thoughtful design choices, from carefully curated colour palettes to meticulous material selection, that have given rise to a dynamic environment inspiring to both students and architects.

College Da Vinci

 

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This modern building features a gabled facade with a sleek, neutral gray finish, accented by vertical stripes in earthy tones like orange, green, and blue. Large, asymmetrical windows provide a balance of natural light and visual interest. The colorful stripes create a dynamic contrast against the minimalist upper section, while small windows and ventilation openings add functional detail. The surrounding landscaping is simple, with young plants and a tree complementing the building's clean, contemporary design.

This modern building showcases a clean, geometric design with a gabled roof and a facade featuring vertical stripes in muted tones of orange, green, and blue. The gray exterior contrasts with the colorful accents, creating a balanced, contemporary look. Large windows provide ample natural light, while smaller windows and ventilation openings add functional details. A wide staircase leads up to the building, emphasizing the structure's elevated position. Simple landscaping with young trees complements the sleek architectural lines, enhancing the building's modern aesthetic.

Expansion and Renovation

Facing a significant increase in student enrollment, College Da Vinci undertook a major expansion to accommodate its growing community. With the student population surpassing 500, the existing facilities were insufficient, prompting the school to launch a design competition in 2017. ÁRTER Architects emerged as the winner, proposing a comprehensive expansion that included twenty modern classrooms, advanced laboratories, a creative art studio, a spacious 250 m² library, and a multifunctional sports hall.

 

The expansion was more than just an increase in space—it was a thoughtful integration of contemporary educational needs with historical architecture. Construction began in November 2019, following a collaborative design process that actively involved teachers, students, parents, and local residents, ensuring the final result would effectively serve both the school and its community.

 

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An aerial view of a school complex reveals a blend of old and new architecture. The older, U-shaped building with a central courtyard features a weathered roof and white walls. Behind it, modern gabled structures with sleek gray roofs and clean lines contrast sharply with the traditional design. The complex is set in a rural area, surrounded by additional buildings and open fields.

A modern school building with gabled roofs features a vibrant facade of vertical, multicolored stripes. Large windows and clean lines enhance its contemporary design. The structure contrasts with an adjacent older, U-shaped building visible in the background, which has a more traditional appearance with a courtyard at its center. The scene blends modern and classic architectural elements within a suburban setting.

Balancing Tradition and Modernity

The extension of College Da Vinci was crafted with a deep respect for the original 1968 structure, carefully integrating contemporary elements without disrupting the historical character of the campus. The design strategy centred on maintaining the existing building's proportions and dimensions, ensuring that the new addition would seamlessly complement the original architecture. By choosing to expand horizontally rather than vertically, the architects preserved the low-rise profile of the campus, reinforcing its cohesive and inviting atmosphere.

 

The extension is thoughtfully organised into three distinct sections: two dedicated to classrooms and one to communal spaces. This layout enhances the building's functionality and fosters a sense of community, supporting individual and group activities. The design successfully merges the past with the present, creating a unified environment that honours the site's heritage while meeting the needs of a modern educational facility.

Contact us today to explore how EQUITONE can bring your architectural vision to life. Let’s discuss your project and find the perfect solution together.

A modern building complex features a series of gabled roofs and a facade decorated with vertical stripes in muted colors. Large windows and sharp lines contribute to its contemporary design. The complex contrasts with the older, traditional buildings in the background, creating a blend of new and classic architecture in a suburban setting.

This two-part image shows a school complex blending modern and traditional architecture. The top image highlights the contrast between a contemporary building with colorful panels and sharp lines, and an adjacent red-brick structure with a more classic design. The bottom image focuses on an older section of the complex under renovation, with a modern extension visible in the background, showcasing the integration of new design elements into the existing structure.

Colour as a Design Driver

ÁRTER Architects used colour as a critical element in the design of College Da Vinci's new extension, aiming to create a lively facade that energises the campus while fitting seamlessly into its surroundings. The design features two distinct colour palettes: one for the external facades facing the residential area, using subtle, natural tones that blend with the landscape, and another for the internal facades within the school, where brighter, complementary colours like blue, yellow, green, and orange bring vibrancy to the space.

 

The colour scheme is carefully applied, with more intense hues on the ground floor and lighter tones on the upper levels, helping to balance the building's visual impact. This thoughtful use of colour enhances the building's appearance and reflects the school's dynamic teaching methods, creating an engaging and welcoming environment for students and staff.

 

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A contemporary building with a dynamic, jagged roofline features an eye-catching exterior design. The facade is a blend of neutral tones accented by vertical stripes in vibrant colors like yellow, orange, green, and blue. Large windows, framed in deep red, allow natural light to flood the interior spaces. The building's upper level includes a series of small square windows, creating a rhythmic pattern across the facade. Below, a recessed entryway is accessed by a set of stairs, adding depth and dimension to the structure. The overall design is playful yet sophisticated, with a focus on clean lines and a harmonious balance of color and form.

This image set shows the exterior and interior of a modern building with a vibrant, colorful design. The top image highlights the building's facade, featuring bright vertical stripes in various colors, large windows, and a gabled roofline. The lower image offers a closer look at the interior, where the colorful striped theme continues around doorways and windows, creating a cohesive and lively atmosphere. The design blends playful aesthetics with modern architecture, both inside and out.

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Curious about how EQUITONE can transform your designs? Explore our extensive collection of project references to see how architects worldwide use EQUITONE to create stunning facades. View more projects now and get inspired by the endless possibilities for your next architectural masterpiece.

 

Durable and Sustainable Building Envelope

In designing the building’s envelope, the team focused on achieving a balance between durability, low maintenance, and environmental integration. They selected materials from the Etex range for their proven resilience and aesthetic appeal. EQUITONE [tectiva] and [pictura] panels were chosen for the facades, using light beige tones on the upper levels to create a rhythmic elevation. Cedral tiles in a grey zinc colour were selected for the roofing to provide a subtle, robust finish that complements the natural surroundings.

 

The choice of fibre cement for the cladding instead of wood was driven by the material’s superior weather resistance and minimal maintenance needs. This decision ensures that the building will maintain its appearance and structural integrity over time, offering longevity that matches the architectural vision. By prioritizing these durable and sustainable materials, the design meets immediate aesthetic goals and guarantees lasting performance, keeping the building looking fresh and cohesive for years to come.

This image showcases three close-up views of different colored panels, each held in a hand. The panels have a smooth, matte texture and appear to be made from the same material but in different shades: a cool gray, a warm reddish-brown, and a neutral beige. The images emphasize the thickness and clean edges of the panels, highlighting their uniformity and high-quality finish.

Explore [tectiva] range of natural, earthy tones—click here to find the perfect shade for your project.

This image features four close-up views of colorful panels, each held by a hand. The panels are shown in bold, solid colors: orange, yellow, green, and blue. The panels have a smooth, matte finish with clean edges, emphasizing their uniform thickness and vibrant hues. The focus is on the vividness and quality of the material, highlighting their potential use in creative or architectural applications.

Explore [pictura] range of vibrant colours—click here to find the perfect shade for your project.