Lower Atrium, American School, Den Haag (NL)
Hans Goverde
The American School in Wassenaar required a space where the children from Elementary could be given dance lessons.
The lower atrium was not used for its original purpose – as an amphitheatre where performances could be held in the open air. It was decided to link this space to the atrium of the Early Childhood wing. The unique roof structure allowed for the realisation of an enormous sky light, so that ample daylight can penetrate the building. The erection that was required for this sky light does not so much take the shape of an extension of the existing building. Rather, it has consciously been kept separate from the surrounding façades, so that it has the appearance of a separate, landscape element that people can sit on. The interior of the space has been executed to incorporate all the facilities required for dance and theatre lessons and performances, including a mobile stand that can be stored away in its entirety in the wooden rear wall.
year
2008 - 2009
client
American School of The Hague
GFA
200m2
project team
David Hess