The Compass

The Stuyfzande school complex, designed in 1874 by city architect Louis Delacenserie, combines neo-Bruges and neo-Baroque elements. The site features a gatehouse with caretaker’s residence, a tree-lined courtyard, and a two-story school building with a gabled roof, decorative sandstone details, and spacious classrooms. Historic interiors include glazed partitions and a former gym with cast-iron columns, while more recent additions hold no heritage value.

The project prioritizes social sustainability, integrating newcomers—migrants and refugees—through a learning environment that combines language, arts, culture, and skills. Classrooms, studios, kitchens, and meeting areas are designed to support education, autonomy, and community participation, fostering inclusion and personal growth.

Flexibility is central. Adaptive classrooms with sliding partitions allow spaces to expand or contract according to group size or activity, supporting workshops, cultural events, and future pedagogical needs. The former gym is transformed into a multifunctional hub, connecting the street and courtyard while accommodating school, student, and community activities.

Guided by adaptive reuse principles, the interventions enable the building to evolve with changing requirements. Shared gardens, studios, and communal spaces encourage neighborhood engagement, lowering social barriers and strengthening local cohesion. The result is a historic school revitalized as an inclusive, resilient, and multifunctional environment.