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Festive opening of Descart secondary school in Utrecht

Monday Nov 25, 2024

After the summer break, the HAVO and VWO students of Descart moved into a fully renovated secondary school with sports facilities in Utrecht. Yesterday marked the official opening - the perfect opportunity to admire the results of the collaborative design process, carried out in partnership with PCOU Willibrord, the municipality of Utrecht, and the project’s advisors, and to experience the building’s standout feature in person.

That feature is, without a doubt, the staircase. This striking centerpiece is located in the atrium, the heart of the building. Connecting all six floors, the staircase has been strategically placed, with key spaces arranged around it: from the auditorium to learning plazas, from science labs to areas dedicated to technology, theater, music, and dance. It’s not only the place to see and be seen but also the hub where everyone naturally comes together.

A sustainable makeover
The renovation also introduced significant improvements. A clear separation was created between the secondary school and the sports facilities, while the learning environment received a complete makeover. Sustainability played a central role in the transformation: wherever possible, existing elements of the building, such as partition walls and internal doors, were reused. The result is a fresh, comfortable space for both students and teachers.

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