Established in 1978, the Amsterdam British School offers international education to 900 students aged 3 to 18, following the UK national curriculum. Located in Oud Zuid, Amsterdam, the school is divided into three sections: primary, secondary, and high school. Students take SAT exams during Key Stages 1 and 2, progressing to GCSE and A-Level exams in high school. The school is accredited by the UK government as an overseas institution and is a proud member of the Council of International Schools in the UK (COBIS).
In 2016, Atelier PRO, in collaboration with Hoogevest Architects and Buro Sant en Co, was commissioned to design a new campus for the British School in Amsterdam. Although the school operates across three different locations, its vision is to unite all students in a single site that combines distinctive character, historical significance, and generous outdoor play areas.
To realize this vision, the school acquired Havenstraat 6—a former prison building in Amsterdam designed by government prison architect W.C. Metzelaar and constructed between 1888 and 1891. This historic site now embodies the school’s aspirations for its new facility.
The new campus elevates the school’s reputation for excellence and solidifies its position as a leader in international British education. The design reflects the ambitions of both the school and architects to create inspiring, joyful learning environments using innovative and imaginative architectural solutions. The campus is exceptional both inside and out, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology and top-tier support services that foster a proactive, student-centered approach to learning.
From our perspective, this building will become a vibrant city block surrounded by lush greenery. The green hedgerows pay homage to the original prison walls, while the outdoor spaces invite students to relax under trees and engage in sports and play activities suitable for all ages.
We have transformed the former prison into a vibrant and expressive environment for children, uniting four independent school sections into a cohesive whole. The essence of British schooling shines through, with each section reflecting a unique personality tailored to its students’ age group. Since the original building’s layout did not fully accommodate these plans, new structures were added to complement the existing ones.
The original building featured four wings, making it natural to assign one wing to each school section. This allows each school to blend the historic structure with new additions. The ground floor of each wing forms the foundation for a distinct identity, creating a striking contrast between old and new architecture.
The classrooms are thoughtfully arranged within the scale and structure of the original building, enhancing the potential of the new development. The learning environments are designed with future-oriented, sustainable intelligent structures in mind. Spaces flow naturally between dynamic social areas and quiet classrooms, encouraging both collaboration and focused study.
Each age group benefits from dedicated spaces designed to support social activities within a familiar and safe British school atmosphere. The school embraces three identities: a united British institution, alongside three independent schools, each preserving its unique character within a cohesive framework.
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan
△ First floor plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Third floor plan
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Architectural Design: Atelier PRO Architects
Area: 14,123 m²
Project Year: 2021
Photographer: Eva Bloem
Manufacturers: Aesy Liften, Bosan, Forbo, Fuse & Change, Wood Mill, Hutten Metal, Kawneer, Mosa, ODS Jansen, Orona Pecres, Philips, Van der Wijngaard, Vande Murrtel
Lead Architects: Dorte Kristensen, Lisette Plouvier, Evelien van Beek
Interior Architect: Amal Habti
Project Manager: Coen Bouwmeester
Design Team: Alba Calvo Balcells, André van Veen, Bart Dessens, Corine Jongejan, Hatice Kilinc, Priet Jokhan, Raymond Wernet, Tobias Thoen
Project Funding: €23,000,000
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