Ambachtsschool, Heerlen

The Ambachtsschool in Heerlen is a brick building with distinctive layers of marl. It is notable as one of the earliest vocational schools in the Netherlands. The building is located on the Burgemeester de Hesselleplein, in Heerlen.

History

When it first opened its doors, in May 1914, there were only 22 students. This number rapidly grew and in 1916 the students of the mining school moved to a different location. Later on the school became known as the "Technische School", a name that still can be seen carved above the entrances. In 1995 the last students left the building.
The original building was much smaller than today's; it consisted only of the main entrance building with two wings. In 1917, 1920 and 1929/1930 the building expanded. The former director's home was built at the same time by Jan Stuyt and is today a rijksmonument registered under the number 512779.
A fire destroyed much of the building in 1996. The building was renovated and expanded by the Spanish architect firm Machay, Bohigas & Martorell.

Architecture

The symmetry of the build, the distinctive layers of marl and windows point to influences of the Dutch renaissance. The massiveness of the building with its towers and great width dominates the square it is located on. Jan Stuyt's urbanistic view for Heerlen, including the creation of a system of squares, means the building can be seen from the center of the Tempsplein.