renovation of dulon college

simplicity as a basis 

The school building has three floors and an E-shaped layout. cepezed restored and reinforced this "comb structure" by demolishing later extensions and widening the narrow wing. The former parking area beneath the raised wings has been integrated into the interior, while the fourth floor was removed. Navigation improved by adding new connections between the three wings, eliminating dead-end corridors on all levels. The main entrance was moved to the long side, opening onto a new forecourt with numerous trees. The simplified layout brings calm, makes the main structure more balanced, and allows for greater flexibility in interior design.

space for domains 

Dulon College is a vibrant school where students train in classrooms simulating real-life settings, including a hair salon, office, and travel agency. Education is organised into 72 programmes within the domains of 'Commerce, Economics & Administration,' 'Hospitality, Tourism, Recreation & Wellness,' 'Security & Sports,' and 'Care & Well-being.' Some ground-floor classrooms are part of 'Entree,' a programme for students with language barriers or other challenges.

The building's long side houses the main entrance and communal classrooms, while the wings accommodate domain-specific practice rooms. Learning gardens and colourful niches with soft furnishings interrupt the generic corridor layout, encouraging independent study and group work. The combination of these design details, along with neat finishes, creates a mature playfulness that makes the building inviting. The striking colour scheme in the interior is drawn from the Dulon College logo.

atrium 

Directly behind the entrance hall, a large atrium was created by filling in the space between two wings. This tall area is multifunctional, with walls and ceilings clad in wooden slats for acoustic quality and warmth. Ample glass in the roof and the connecting corridor's façade ensures abundant natural light. A large piece of furniture includes a service counter, kitchen, staircase, and "roof terrace."

façade 

The new façades of Dulon College are elegant yet playful. They consist of glass and bronze-coloured anodised aluminium on a prefabricated wooden frame. Custom-designed ribbed aluminium cladding adds subtle texture and dynamic shadows. The extensive glazing fills the building with natural light, with the corridors between the wings featuring fully glazed façades. Ground-level glass walls also act as display windows, offering views of the activities inside.

healthy building 

Sustainability was a key consideration, achieved by reusing the structural shell and some furniture, and choosing bio-based materials wherever possible. With a new building envelope that includes 1,900 square metres of PV panels on the roof, a ground-source heat pump system, underfloor heating and cooling, plus additional mechanical and passive ventilation, the building is fully energy-neutral and meets the BENG energy standards under the Building Decree. Improved natural lighting reduces the need for artificial light compared to the past.

a toolbox of options 

The client was involved in significant design choices throughout the process, making the new school a co-creation. cepezed developed a toolbox with spatial variations and optional elements like the atrium and an internal garden to guide this collaborative process. Every decision prioritised a future-proof, functional, and sustainable school building with a healthy indoor climate and a distinctive identity.