Wulpen, a hamlet of 500 inhabitants, is centered around a significant brick church in the coastal polder landscape. Opposite the church lies the former town school, which has been closed for several year due to a lack of attendance. Predestined to be demolished, SO – IL proposes to salvage the existing school, restructure it and expand upon it to form a gathering space for the multi-generational community.

A multipurpose room is housed in the former 2 classrooms of the school; meetings rooms are located in the previous teachers house, facing the street. The youth gets a new, circular room, situated in a “wild” garden opposite the courtyard – the former schoolyard. These elements are strung together with a thin covered walkway. This cast in place concrete ribbon redefines the open space and a majestic ancient tree.

SO – IL was selected through an Open Oproep (Open Call) by the Flemish Government Architect out of five firms. SO – IL has partnered with local architect Bureau Bouwtechniek from Antwerp and consultants Util for structure and Igenium for installations. The building is slated for completion in 2013