Enrichment Center

We are currently designing the Enrichment Center on Saba, an auditorium that will serve as a space for arts classes – as well as for the island’s theater, dance and music performances outside of school hours. It will accommodate approximately 130 spectators, and parking is available directly below the campus complex.

The building is the third structure being realized as part of the Masterplan for the Saba Comprehensive School. All of the school buildings will also be interconnected on a higher level by the spacious terraces.

A space for classes and for theater

Designing for a small island like Saba requires extra attention for the materials and equipment used. Maintenance for technical installations can be complicated and costly, as specialized labor often needs to be flown in. Especially with a theatre and its technology, that is a challenge. For this reason, we chose to keep the design straightforward and to use theatre equipment that is fit for outdoor use. The design will have elements that extend from the main structure to softer organic shapes. This will allow the building to visually connect to the network of paths, terraces, and bridges that link the various school buildings.

This network with wide corridors and elevated squares is supported by tree-like columns, whose bases are designed as seating areas to encourage students to gather, meet, and interact there. We also positioned the doors and staircases to make the routing between the buildings easy and clear. The terraces are designed as an outside meeting space for the students and teachers – with shading from the overhangs of upper levels and the pergola located on the top floor.

Connection to the outdoors

A key ambition of our design was to create a building that maintains a strong relationship with its surroundings. Large sliding doors across both levels open the auditorium to the campus and offer striking views of the beautiful landscape. The theater seating isn’t just tied to the interior but spans outside. We implemented seating areas in front of the sliding doors on the outside, so when they’re open the audience can watch the performance from three sides.

On the ground floor you’ll find the cafeteria, which serves both as the school’s canteen and as a place to get food and drinks during events in the gym or auditorium. It will have a compact indoor dining area complemented by extensive outdoor seating. The central open kitchen creates a communal environment where the preparation of food is visible and shared.

Sustainability

The walls are insulated — a construction technique not yet commonly used on the island — to increase comfort and improve energy efficiency. This approach is particularly effective for reducing the cooling capacity for larger spaces that accommodate many people, such as a theater.

The overhangs, terraces and the pergola, further reduce the heat load by preventing direct sunlight (read heath) to enter the building. Besides cooling, we also provide fresh air in the theater to maintain a healthy air quality. The fresh air is precooled using the thermal wheel principle. This is an innovative sustainable element for Saba. And of course we collect the rainwater, which is standard for Saba. We also have a standalone sewage treatment plant for the complex, to make sure that the discharged water does not hamper the natural environment.

A special plan for plants

Between the buildings and across the intersections of the pathways you will find all kinds of greenery. By strategically placing the building we block the prevailing winds and create a sheltered environment for plants to grow. Based on the landscape plan by Timo Cents, specific locations have been identified for planting, encouraging new vegetation to develop. We are looking into the possibilities to start a small nursery with the students in collaboration with the Saba Conservation Foundation, to start cultivating plants that can be used in the new school gardens.

To reduce wind impact around the Enrichment Center, we have designed an additional wind-breaking structure above the rounded retaining walls of the parking area. This structure will be made from recycled wooden electrical poles, repurposed after the island’s electrical network was moved underground. Arranged as a small “forest” of vertical elements, which will be overgrown with climbing plants, these poles together with plants soften the wind and create a more comfortable and safe outdoor environment.

Planning

The new buildings on the campus will be connected to each other in terms of design. For example, the new Technical School was designed with similar elements, both have a natural stone finish on the ground floor – to create a visual connection between the two buildings. The campus will be completed in phases, of which the new Gym is going to be the first project.