Community School: Block Playschool in Houthaven, Amsterdam

Amsterdam University of Applied Science | Architectural Design Studio, 2020

Houthaven is a neighborhood in the western borough of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its name, meaning "lumber port," reflects its industrial past as a harbor along the IJ River. Once a hub for inland barges, Houthaven is now undergoing a major transformation. The area is being redeveloped into a vibrant residential district composed of seven artificial islands, blending the old industrial character with new urban life.

This project is situated at a pivotal point between the historic Spaarndammerbuurt and the newly developed Houthaven. The school acts as a bridge, both physically and socially, between the old and the new, the structured and the imaginative.

Concept & Inspiration

The design is rooted in childhood memories—specifically, the act of building with LEGO blocks. This simple yet profound game, where children stack boxes to create houses, forms the conceptual foundation of the project. It reflects a child’s intuitive understanding of space, structure, and imagination.

The school is imagined as a solid yet playful form, echoing the tactile, modular nature of LEGO. It invites children to explore, imagine, and shape their environment. The architecture becomes a canvas for dreams, where the boundaries between play and learning, inside and outside, dissolve.

Spatial Strategy

Form & Volume: The building is conceived as a single, multifunctional volume that accommodates diverse activities. It is not just a school, but a dynamic environment where education, play, and community interaction coexist.

Void & Mass: The structure creates intentional voids (both interior and exterior) that serve as atrium, play areas, and gathering spaces. These voids foster a continuous dialogue between the built form and its surroundings.

Transparency & Access: Large vertical windows act as both visual and physical connectors to the garden, blurring the line between interior learning spaces and the outdoor environment. Every window is a potential door to exploration.

Urban Integration

The school’s garden is designed as a public space, acknowledging its strategic location between two distinct urban fabrics. It serves not only the students but also the local community, reinforcing the idea that educational spaces can be civic assets.

The architecture respects the local character while introducing a new identity. It maintains its uniqueness as a private educational facility while contributing to the public realm through openness and accessibility.

Child-Centered Design

Understanding how children experience space is central to the project. The design supports independent active mobility, encouraging children to move freely, explore, and engage with their environment. Outdoor spaces are not just extensions of the classroom—they are integral to the learning experience.

Play as Learning: Open courtyards and large indoor play areas foster a seamless relationship between play and education.

Imagination & Safety: The robust, modular form provides a sense of security while stimulating creativity.

Environmental Interaction: The design emphasizes the continuous transaction between children and their environment, supporting both transport and play.

This playschool in Houthaven is more than a building, it is a spatial narrative that connects memory, imagination, and urban transformation. It reflects the evolving needs of the city while honoring the timeless ways children interact with space. By merging architectural and urban space into a cohesive whole, the project creates a place where children can dream, play, and grow, shaping not only their own futures but also the future of the neighborhood.