META was commissioned by Xaverius College to design an L-shaped building located between two streets. A long corridor runs throughout the entire structure, connecting various spaces. On one side of the corridor is a courtyard garden that floods the building with natural light, allowing children to observe the changing seasons. A few years ago, Xaverius College decided to expand the campus to address the issue of limited space.
The school acquired several adjacent plots within neighborhoods bordered by Stenenbrug, Collegelaan, J. Posenarstraat, and Xaveriusstraat. They chose to demolish the old, deteriorated buildings and construct a brand-new kindergarten. The well-lit circular corridor serves as the main circulation path within the school. While offering views of the courtyard garden, it provides children with a connection to natural light and the seasons indoors. Eric Soors from META designed the L-shaped building, stretching from Stenenbrug (the former Peugeot garage site) to Xaveriusstraat. The former large practice rooms of the Hendrickx Dance School have been replaced with playgrounds and kindergarten classrooms.
The corridor functions as the primary passageway for the kindergarten. The new main entrance on Xaveriusstraat is highlighted by a facade resembling the school’s entrance, allowing visibility into the interior playground. This design makes the entrance easily recognizable for preschool children and visitors, while maintaining a visual connection to the old school gate. Designing a school goes beyond simply planning educational spaces; it is about creating environments where children learn about the world and society through play. Therefore, campus architecture must focus on nurturing children’s growth and the unique setting of the school. “META’s design decisions prioritize this fundamental approach,” said Niklaas Deboutte from META.
The L-shaped building features a long corridor connecting all spaces. On one side, the corridor is separated from classrooms and the multipurpose hall by a service area housing toilets, storage rooms, and other support spaces. On the opposite side, the corridor opens to a series of courtyard gardens designed by Landinzicht Landscape Architects. These gardens not only bring sunlight into the corridor but also create a harmonious connection between daily life and the changing seasons.
This brand-new building serves as a safe haven and true community hub, situated at the center of Jozef Posenarstraat, Xaveriusstraat, and Stenenbrug. – Dirk Dobberers, Head of Xaverius College Affiliated Primary School.
The building’s rational facade, rendered in light colors, plays a significant role in its presence. The entire structure is a single story, except for the section along Stenenbrug, where the community’s eaves height restriction has been respected. META placed the sports arena on the upper three floors here, making it the most prominent feature visible from the street. Below the sports arena, on the second floor, are the administrative office and staff room. The facade’s orderly and rational design reflects the building’s internal functional layout, making the structure’s purpose legible from the outside. META chose light-colored materials such as white glazed tiles and polished gray precast concrete. The facade facing Xaveriusstraat is constructed from cast-in-place concrete.
Project Drawings
△ Location Map
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third to Fourth Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: META architect
Area: 2256 m²
Project Year: 2018
Photographer: Filip Dujardin
Manufacturers: AXIOMA, Duravit, FSB Franz Schneider Brakel, Ploegsteert, SPRANGERS, UrbaStyle
Design Team: Niklaas Deboutte, Eric Soors, Willem Baalbergen, Axel Cayman
Client: Xaverius College
Engineer: Tractebel Engineering
Landscape Design: Landinzicht
Main Contractor: Franki Construct
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
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