Public Library of the Year 2018 - School 7

Besides everything that has to do with interior and trends I really love travelling and exploring or rediscovering cities or places where I have never been or haven´t been for a long time. 

When I heard that a Dutch public library was voted `worlds best of 2018` a few weeks ago, I decided to have a look,  especially because it is not too far from our house but just in our own region.

In the middle of Den Helder (a port town in the northernmost point of North Holland ) the library is located in the totally transformed `School 7`, a monumental building from 1905. School 7 is designed by Evelien van Veen (Van Veen Architects) and Marcel van der Veer (MARS Interior Architects)  Their design was chosen because they did not limit themselves to the architecture, but immediately designed the interior from the very beginning, so that a harmonious and organic atmosphere would arise and it really looks amazing!

The floors of the original premises have been removed, so that the ridge of the original gable roof can be seen in the new building section. Old and new buildings are connected by corridors and stairs; in the old, tiled toilet cubicles workplaces have been made or there are bean bags with picture books.

The used furniture includes pieces from the collections of Hay, Fritz Hansen, Vitra, Ahrend, Offect, Tolix and Fatboy and for the Lighting of Zumtobel (functional lighting), Flos, Studio WM, Functionals, Moooi, Jielde, Anglepoise and Muuto. The seemingly chaotic suspended lamps of the Flos Aim collection designed by the Bouroullec brothers provide an informal atmosphere which was exactly the intention of the interiordesign of the building. School 7 was opened in 2016. The project is part of larger plan to revive the centre of Den Helder. 

The designers, Evelien van Veen and Marcel van der Veer, were inspired by the Fantastic Flying Books of mr. Morris Lessmore, an animated short film directed by William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg. For a lifetime he takes care of books, and at the end of his life the books take care of him. 'The library is no longer just a building where you can borrow books', says Jacinta Krimp, director of the School 7 library. “There is a café where people can meet each other, you even can get married in the theatre , older people take courses here to use their iPad, we have an auditorium and we share the building with the state university and the historical association.”

I just loved the mix of the old industrial elements of the building combined with the minimalist furniture, natural and monochrome details... Real eye candy if you ask me and definitely worth a visit when you have plans to explore and discover this city where you can find a variety of shops, restaurants, art, museums, culture and beautiful nature!

-Elvera-

cellphone photos by elveravanschaik