Dezeen Magazine

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Slideshow: Dutch studio Rocha Tombal have completed a primary school in The Hague that winds around its site like a crocodile.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Dozens of square windows are scattered across each of the Galjoen School's exterior walls, which are constructed from red brick without any relief or decoration.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Each end of the building is single storey, but the roof gradually slopes upwards to create a first floor at the centre.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Fluorescent tubes light the school's corridors and are arranged in patterns like tree branches.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

This is the second school with a brick exterior on Dezeen this week, following a high school in Germany.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

See all our stories about schools »

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Another interesting project we've featured by Rocha Tombal is a wooden house with projecting box windows. See it here.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Photography is by Christian Richters.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Here's a little more information from the architects:


Primary School The Hague

Like a mother, the school offers a feeling of security and adventure: with its friendly face and an attractive identity, this “colourful animal” will improve the atmosphere of the square, where now a 6 meter high steel electricity-house plays the main role.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

The new school will be situated in relation to the electricity-house, in a way that together, these two buildings will define a new safe and inviting playground.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Because of the sun-orientation, the presence of the electricity-house, and the need of concentration in the class-rooms, those are all turned to the new back garden.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

To avoid a non-communicative image, a few big windows were created on strategic places in the front façade: the “eyes” of the animal.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Those correspond to the common areas of the school, like the entrance and the play area, which as gigantic show cases, seem to expose the inside life.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

The façade material is a red colour rubber, soft and recognisable, which accentuates the playful form of the building.

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Address: Arnold Aletrinoplantsoen 8, Den Haag
Client: Stichting Haagse Scholen

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Architecture: Rocha Tombal architecten: Ana Rocha en Michel Tombal

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Collaborators: Iwona Wozniakowska, Elena Cabrera Vacas, Igor Lopez de Uralde, Volker Goldstein, Enrique Otero Neira, Bettina Herb, Enrique Abad Monllor

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Constructor: Pieters Bouwtechniek, Delft
Contractor: Vink Bouw, Nieuwkoop

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

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Bruto area: 1140 m2
Usefull area: 965 m2

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

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Date: juni 2011
Costs: exclusive installations and btw € 969.370,--

Galjoen School by Rocha Tombal

Click above for larger image