Knitting a facade | studio petra vonk

Architect Mariette Adriaanssen, who had seen Petra Vonk’s work exhibited at the Textile Museum in Tilburg approached her to design knitted patterns for the new home to the School for VAVO (Continued General Education) and an extension of the School of KCM (Art, Culture and Media), which was currently under construction. Adriaanssen wished to develop a characteristic, façade that would typify and reflect the school for VAVO. The exterior wall on the street side of the school is its calling card, so as a wink to Tilburg's history as textile center, they chose to design knitted patterns, which were incorporated into translucent RAFICLAD composite panels. Outside this creates an eye-catching pattern while inside it creates a classroom with a spiritual and introverted character. The knitted fabric was poured into a composite plate; in doing so we create a unique product that also serves as solar protection. This delivers a virtually closed facade, which allows a special, filtered light into the building.

Materials: RAFICLAD composite panels by Holland Composite.

Architect: Mariette Adriaanssen

Building: School for VAVO, ROC Tilburg