De Meander school – Designing an Active Schoolyard
Year: 2022
Status: Construction Completed
Location: Heiloo, The Netherlands
Surface: 2300 m2
Client: Basisschool Meander
Team: Mariska Hamelink, Renet Korthals Altes, Raquel Teixeira dos Santos
Primary school The Meander in Heiloo is a so-called ‘Active School’… but interviewing children and teachers taught us that the outdoor space was not inviting children to move at all yet. Time for change…
We help schools expand their educational vision to the outdoors by strongly involving teachers in designing their own outdoor spaces. At Space for Play, “Involve me and I will remember” is our motto! By giving participatory lessons on climate and the diversity of play, we equip children to co-design their own climate-adaptive schoolyard. Children always deliver us the best ideas as they truly know their space.
Only through the input from and dialogues with both the teachers and the children can we ensure a unique climate-adaptive design based on the school’s vision and children’s needs. The Willibrord is happy and is ready to take steps! Together with Kuuk and Quadrans.









