The former Tweede Christelijke Lagere Technische School ‘Patrimonium,’ designed by architect Ben Ingwersen (1967), was part of the large-scale expansion of Amsterdam’s western garden cities between 1950 and 1970. The building consists of functionally distinct volumes: a three-story section for classroom education, an entrance zone with an auditorium and canteen, a low-rise section with a courtyard for practical training, and two volumes for gymnasiums. Additionally, light, air, and space were key architectural principles.
Currently, Amsterdam is facing a major housing challenge, where the logical strategy is not expansion but densification. The municipality’s initial plans proposed demolishing the LTS building to make way for residential development. However, while awaiting further planning, the building was temporarily repurposed for a variety of users and functions: a creative hub called LTS, a craft lab with workshops (woodworking, ceramics, art, fashion), and a training center focused on woodworking. The building gained national and even international recognition due to the restaurant and, in particular, the club ‘De School.’
Its current use has demonstrated the strength, beauty, and timeless quality of the building. In response to the demolition plans, HOH Architects, a tenant of the building, proposed an alternative urban development model. This model combines low-rise and high-rise elements while preserving the LTS building. The existing gymnasiums would be replaced by a residential tower, increasing density. This alternative plan, along with the building’s successful repurposing, laid the foundation for a new urban plan by the municipality of Amsterdam, ensuring the preservation of Ingwersen’s design.
Together with engaged users, HOH then developed a vision for the complex’s future. Using Mental Maps, various values of the building were identified by those who experience it daily: the green surroundings, the distinctive sawtooth roofscape, the connecting corridor structures, the unique construction, the inviting spaces, and the rich mix of functions. These “soft values” were combined with the municipality’s “hard” requirements for residential densification.
A key principle of the interactive design process is to improve the building’s integration with its surroundings. The corridor structure will be extended outdoors, creating a terrace that connects to the tram and bus stop. The new and existing buildings must form a cohesive whole, where residents and users reinforce each other. The tower and low-rise buildings should be complementary.
See also research page on Mental Map methodology
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Program: Broedplaats Creatieve Industrie
Team: Freyke Hartemink, Jarrik Ouburg, Zoe Papadopoulos
Content: Anne Dessing, Annette Wiesman, Carsten Hilgendorf, Freyke Hartemink, Jan Maarten Mulder, Janne van Houtum, Jarrik Ouburg, Jochem Doornbosch, Lada Hrsak, Ludovica Beltrami, Maaike Bouwman, Maarten Gulickx, Milou Broersen, Natalia Meijerink, Nienke en Nelleke, Okko Steensma, Pedro Magalhaes, Samuel Taselaar, Sean & Tony, Zoe Papadopoulos (all the users of the building)
