Duivenschool

English translation

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Description

School building realised in 1930 to the design of W.M. Dudok, originally intended exclusively for primary education and named Nienke van Hichtumschool (now Duivenschool), erected on a somewhat arrow-pointed, extended ground plan with the application of flat roofed, block-shaped and half-cylindrical building volumes and with alternating use of brick - dark for the plinth and parts of the chimney section; yellow for the remaining construction - and glass - whereby the window sections provided with steel glazing bars are cantilevered and low above the ground beneath whitewashed canopies.

The extended, one-storey main wing with the classrooms is articulated on the northwest side by nine window sections, whereby the southeast volume is raised higher over half the depth above the canopy and projects forward at the west corner, while the half-cylindrical window section is projected even further forward and converted on the southwest side. The southeast facade contains on the left a pair of red double doors and further sixteen window sections separated by narrow wall piers, whereby above the far projecting, supported by light blue, angled props, concrete canopy a horizontal series of fanlights is fitted over almost the full width of the facade, with light blue coloured tiles on the internally placed piers; adjoining an extended, raised terrace with a floor tiled in black/white patterns, bounded by a low wall with flower boxes and on the left a six-step flight of stairs with a cross wall. On the north side this wing is bounded by the tall tower section with cladding executed in blue and black glazed brick and horizontal window series with narrow, far projecting canopies all around at the top, above which the chimney situated behind still protrudes. At an obtuse angle adjoins to the eccentric tower the two-storey volume with secondary spaces, of which the gable end is dominated by the vertically subdivided window section carried through to the roof line and the north facade on the left in the upper storey is provided with a circular window. To the north of this, strongly recessed, adjoins the eastern, low cross-wing with below a strongly overhanging canopy the main entrance with vestibule and adjoining it the half-open building volume originally intended as a bicycle shed with horizontal fanlights. School building with a design characteristic of the fifth phase in the oeuvre development in Dudok's work due to the moderately plastic application of block-shaped and half-cylindrical building volumes with characteristic canopy sections, striking tower and chimney, as well as due to the introduction of steel window sections, whereby account has also been taken of the original purpose in the placement, and the variation in colour and material use, as such of interest from an architectural historical and stylistic viewpoint.