Wood and Water

Two designs printed on ‘wallcovering’ for the new Brede school Houthaven (architect Marlies Rohmer) with contributions from students of Wereldschool Amsterdam (HOUT) and Brede school De Spaarndammerhout (WATER).

The school stands where the Amsterdam Houthaven used to be. Hundreds of tree trunks from Scandinavia were kept there in the water until they could be used as foundations for Amsterdam’s houses.

Many types of wood were also used in the school building. On floors, the stairs and walls. And the building is surrounded by water. We must be economical and take good care of the trees and water in our environment.

QUARTERCIRES
Both designs are made up of quarter circles. In WOOD, the “quarters” form whole circles containing 12-13 year rings referring to the age and growth of elementary school children. In WATER, on the contrary, the “quarters” form steaming waves.
The texts and drawings the students made at school and were written by themselves between the rings of the design in their best handwriting.

DATA
Texts: in collaboration with Stichting Taalvorming
DTP work: Karprojecten, Amsterdam
Dimensions: 950 x 280cm and 390 x 260cm
Material: print on wallcovering by IN-zee, Leiden
Made possible with the support of Gemeente Amsterdam
With thanks to Stichting schoolbuurtwerk
Completion: August 2014