Team V selected to design new and renovated HMC Building

On Thursday 21 November, green light was given to develop a preliminary design for the new construction and renovation of the Hout- en Meubileringscollege (HMC – the Timber and Furniture College) in Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Team V will take the lead on the design, collaborating with consultants Pieters Bouwtechniek, Valstar Simonis, DGMR and SkaaL. The aim is for the new building to be fully operational from the start of the 2030-2031 school year.

Showcase for timber technology

The upgraded HMC will become a showcase for timber technology, serving as a flagship for the school. The new building, which will adjoin the existing structure, will be constructed predominantly from timber, featuring wooden columns, beams, and façades. The woodworking machinery and the finest graduation projects will be prominently displayed in the new building.

Where possible, the current building will be preserved, with construction materials repurposed. A new atrium in the existing structure will seamlessly connect the new and old buildings. This central hub of the HMC will bring together all its disciplines: woodworking, interior design, upholstery, and furniture-making.

For and by the HMC community

The Experience Compass, in which HMC’s ambitions for the new and renovated building are outlined, is an important guideline for the design. Using this experience compass, staff and students are actively involved in the development of the design. During the study day for employees on 21 November, the first steps were taken to create a building for and by the HMC community. In workshops, based on the themes in the Experience Compass, the first feedback from staff was collected.

Paul Oomens, Chairman of the Executive Board (CvB), said:
‘With Team V, the CvB is engaging a strong design team to the HMC for the inspiring construction assignment that lies ahead, in line with the experience compass, of which we want to realize as many elements as possible. The renovation and new construction will take place in phases in a well-considered manner, while education continues.’

The winning plan

Team V developed the winning plan for HMC in collaboration with Pieters Bouwtechniek (constructions), Valstar Simonis (installations), DGMR (building physics and sustainability) and SkaaL (cost consultancy). Their submission consisted of a concept design and a strategy to involve the staff and students in the project. The HMC award committee (comprising a student, a teacher, the head of the machine department, a team leader and the management) unanimously assessed Team V’s proposal as the best.

Do Janne Vermeulen, architect-director of Team V commented:
‘We are really looking forward to collaborate with the staff and students in shaping a renewed, sustainable HMC, built in timber.’