The Individual and the Collective in the Primary School Buildings of Jan Verhoeven

Abstract

According to Jan Verhoeven, the individual and the collective are the most important characteristics of his designs for primary school buildings. However, no literature focuses on this theme. Therefore this dissertation does concentrate on how Verhoeven portrays the individual and the collective in his school buildings. First, the theme is placed in context using literature. Three case studies of Verhoeven’s primary school buildings follow. These schools have different educational methods to determine if it influences the portrayal of the theme. The designs of each of these schools stress the collective. They define the collective as non-hierarchic and approach it on different scales. The individual is easily identifiable within the collective and functions as a building stone for the collective. Therefore the individual is portrayed as strong and independent with their own identity. For the individual to develop in such a way, the schools are designed as a warm and safe place where children feel at home. Verhoeven accomplishes this by using the human scale, nature, simplicity, and fantasy. Lastly, the collective contributes to creating a warm and safe place such that the individual can develop well. Therefore in his school buildings, the collective helps the individual, and the individual is fundamental to the collective. The two opposites interrelate.