Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam
Spatial Montessori Secondary Education in the Heart of Amsterdam
A new home for the Montessori Lyceum Amsterdam, where every square meter inspires learning. This design transforms the existing cluster of buildings into a cohesive whole with a central focus. Rooted in Montessori principles, it creates a learning environment that feels like a second home: open, inviting, and fostering both focus and social interaction. With flexible and accessible spaces, a central hall as a vibrant square, and an emphasis on shared experiences, this school offers more than education. It’s a place that prepares students for a world of diversity and challenges, where learning and living together go hand in hand.
Client
Montessori Scholengemeenschap Amsterdam
Year
2019 - 2025
Type
Education
3D impressions
AHH
Gross floor area
18.765 m2 (7.565 m2 newly built, 11.200 m2 renovation)
Collaboration
Project management: ICSadviseurs • Structural engineer: Alferink van Schieveen • Building physics consultant: moBius consult • MEP consultant: Vintis • Financial consultant: M3E
Address
Pieter de Hoochstraat 59, 1071 ED Amsterdam
Team
Lead architects: Laurens Jan ten Kate en Dafne Wiegers. Advisor: Herman Hertzberger. Team: Harm Freymuth, Arne de Gans, Jeroa Amanupunnjo, Martijn Beemsterboer, Tom Vermeer, Julian van der Linden
A green oasis in the bustling Museum Quarter. The courtyard provides students with a secluded retreat, like a hortus conclusus, where they can relax and unwind amidst the greenery.
Library: a historic space with a new layer
The library, located in the historic part of the building, has been completed and has regained its original character. A newly added mezzanine with a flowing, curved edge brings a fresh dimension to the space. The alcove-style quiet study areas offer students the perfect balance between openness and a sense of enclosure. Many of the historic elements, once hidden or altered, have been carefully restored, allowing the space to reclaim its architectural integrity.
The open study spaces form the heart of this learning environment, where spatial connectivity takes center stage. Through voids and sightlines between floors, natural interaction between students and teachers is encouraged. Learning is no longer confined to closed classrooms but extends throughout the entire school. This openness fosters collaboration, spontaneous encounters, and a shared sense of community. At the same time, strategically placed workspaces provide room for focus and individual study. This design translates the Montessori philosophy into a contemporary educational setting: a place where learning and living seamlessly intertwine.
The library invites you to work in groups.
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