Located in the center of Turnhout, the design for the Sint-Victor Institute builds on what is already there while anticipating future needs. Existing buildings are preserved, a former chapel is sensitively converted, and new facilities for kindergarten and primary education are introduced as part of a coherent, layered expansion.
Two compactly organized school volumes are inserted behind the existing buildings, safeguarding key sightlines and engaging respectfully with their context. Rather than dominating, the new additions support and extend the site’s existing narrative.
The plan abandons the traditional school typology of corridors and stairwells and instead organises all classrooms around open learning areas that extend over several floors. An internal connecting stair creates a compact atrium that can be used for classes, group work, meetings, and informal activities. Around this central space, efficiently organized classrooms are arranged in a flexible structure, allowing the building to be easily adapted over time.
Towards the street, the chapel is opened at ground level, creating a strong visual and spatial connection with the surrounding city. This intervention shapes a clear and inviting arrival for students and opens the school to its context.
Finally, all different interior levels are also connected on the exterior. Floating playgrounds, walkways, and stepped seating transform the outdoor space into a dynamic and layered school landscape where play, learning, and encounter come together. In this way, a future-oriented learning environment emerges, firmly anchored in its urban context.
With Vanderstraeten
