BDP unveils a new 'community living room' in Gorssel
BDP has unveiled the preliminary design for a new multifunctional community hub in Gorssel, marking a significant step towards delivering a welcoming, people-centred building for local people.
Through an extensive consultation with the local community, the design has been shaped by those who will use the new facilities. As a result, the new building will stand on the current Vullerschool site and will bring together a wide range of functions including a library, sports hall, primary school, early years childcare, and flexible community spaces.
Responding to its varied surroundings, from historic buildings and nearby homes to the contemporary Museum MORE and the village green, the building aims to create a balanced and responsible architectural presence.
“The building is designed to feel open and natural. A home for the community. We are working with nature-based, and we want the façade to be something people can use, not just look at. All in all, it will create a friendly, approachable character for the new site.”
The material palette also includes some brickwork in a unified colour tone but with subtle shifts in texture, adding depth and interest to the building’s form. Inside, the design focuses on comfort, ease of movement and a strong sense of belonging. The entrance area will feature a café that acts as a social anchor and a place for everyday encounters as well as somewhere for local sports teams to gather after evening matches. The library sits at the heart of the building, visible from both the ground floor and the first floor. An open staircase will lead to the upper level and will include book-lined alcoves.
Outdoor spaces for the different school age groups will be arranged to support play and learning and at the main entrance, BDP will introduce a new water feature in response to direct community feedback.
“The library plays a binding role in the building. Literature connects people, and the design reflects that by connecting to the large variety on different functions in the building. It adds to the sense of openness and creates a shared space for all age groups.”
The final design is expected to be approved in 2026, after which the contractor selection process will begin. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with the building opening to the public in 2028, delivering what many residents have already begun calling the new “living room of Gorssel”.
