Open air school, Educational architecture in Amsterdam-Zuid, Netherlands.
The school is a four-story building complex with a square central core and a diagonal staircase running through its middle, linking all floors. Large windows and concrete columns define its exterior, while a sunken gymnasium sits beneath the main block and staff offices occupy the north section.
Architect Jan Duiker received the commission in 1927 for this school, which opened in 1932 with the goal of providing children with maximum sunlight exposure. The project emerged from a period when architects and educators believed in rethinking how buildings could support healthy learning.
The building expresses the design philosophy of Nieuwe Zakelijkheid with its geometric forms and expansive windows that bring light and transparency into the learning spaces. Visitors can observe how this approach shaped classrooms and reflected the belief that good architecture supports children's wellbeing.
The building is easily visible from the street, with its distinctive diagonal staircase and row of windows clearly visible from outside, though interior access may be limited for visitors. Plan time for a walk around the exterior to appreciate the facade and how it relates to the surrounding neighborhood.
The floor slabs extend beyond the main beams and are supported by diagonal bracing, giving the building a visually floating quality that was unconventional at the time. This structural detail reflects the architect's bold approach to solving engineering challenges with creative solutions.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
