Kraaijvanger Architects celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2017 and celebrates its birthday. We wanted to give something back to the city that has been our home since 1927, an investment in the future. On September 7, 2017, we celebrated our anniversary and started with the crowdfunding for the future of OBS de Schalm. The plan and all assistance with the implementation is our gift at the Schalm, a contribution in money or materials to this project is the only gift that we ask for our anniversary. The crowdfunding for OBS de Schalm has been successful! Together we have collected the great amount of € 7.860, -.

Good education is in everyone's interest
Good education is the basis for a society in which everyone comes into their own and all people have the opportunity to get the best out of themselves. Education is the best guarantee for further development, personal, social and economic. However, schools in primary education each year spend around 300 million euros more on maintenance of school buildings and teaching materials than they receive from the national government. This is shown by research by the Berenschot management consultancy firm, commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. As a result, they retain less money for, for example, teachers, with higher workload and larger classes as a result. [Source: PO Council]

Transfer our expertise on educational buildings into deeds
An example of such a school is primary school OBS de Schalm. A school that, besides the usual subjects, also places the focus on performing arts. After our visit to the school in Katendrecht, we soon found out that there is a lot of talent around. From children with ambitions in the world of biology to performing arts and music. However, it quickly became clear that the school is struggling with a problem. The building is ready for a transformation, but there is simply not enough money to realize all this.

The children would also like a change. Such as a workplace where you can quietly read a book, a professional and modern theater space with good lighting and an entrance with no deterrent fences. These are some of the most important changes that the school would like. We want to use and develop our knowledge in the field of education and sustainability and we deploy our network to realize this transformation with minimal resources and costs.

Because we are transforming for the future, sustainability and health are very important. That is why, in addition to financial means, we are also looking for people / companies that can supply (used) materials.

Improving a Rotterdam school with a vision
We had developed a strategic and integrated plan that helps OBS De Schalm to provide the environment that the students need for as good and pleasant education as possible.

What have we done?
We have tackled the heart of the building, the place where the whole school meets. Here the mediatheque and the podium have been improved and made more multifunctional so that more children can learn and perform better. We have improved lighting, acoustics and air quality. In this way, we also provide a healthier school with sustainable materials!

There is too little money for education in the Netherlands. This often happens at the expense of investments in the building. A poorly functioning building has a negative influence on the concentration, health and learning performance of children. For OBS De Schalm we had made a phased plan whereby we could do more depending on the amount of money we would receive. The school distinguishes itself with attention to performing arts. Making the podiums and mediatheque much more functional and healthier as the meeting place in the building was priority number one. Subsequently, the entrance and premises were up for improvement. In everything we have done, clever design and circular materials have ensured that the school is healthier. And it is good to see that we have achieved this with common commitment.