Creating better education environments
Primary school De Verwondering is a fully bio-based school building and the first example of a new generation of biobased school buildings that recognizes and harnesses nature's powerful effect on learning.
The beautiful wooden building - which runs on circular energy - has a vegetation roof with chickens, green facades and remarkably large windows. The primary school recently won the 2021 Golden Frog award for sustainable construction in the Netherlands.
The interior and exterior of the school have a positive influence on the well-being and performance of the pupils. The environment outside blends with the natural elements of the building, such as wood and bamboo. The interior architect chose a CO₂ neutral (cradle to gate) Marmoleum floor covering. Marmoleum Cocoa is made of natural and renewable raw materials with the addition of a waste product from the cocoa industry and, in that respect, it fits the building perfectly. Marmoleum is one of the Netherlands' most beautiful and also oldest bio-based products.
| Project name | Basisschool De Verwondering |
| Location | Almere, The Netherlands |
| Architect | ORGA architect |
| Builder | Van Norel Bouwgroep |
| Commissioned by | Gemeente Almere |
| Interior designer | Projectum Inrichten B.V. i.s.m. Schilte |
| Installation by | Festas |
| Photographer | Rubenvisser.com |
