Two schools in the northern area of the province of Groningen – De Klim-op in Middelsum and De Horizon in Bedum – are the first to have been made earthquake resistant.
By Hans de Preter
The building housing De Klim-op in Middelsum was structurally reinforced, and De Horizon in Bedum was entirely rebuilt. The goal is to bring roughly 70 schools in the induced earthquake-prone region up to the same standard as these two schools by 2020.
The renovated schools are also energy neutral. Both have climate control systems that do not depend on natural gas which were installed by Groningen-based Klimaatgroep Holland. The system uses minimal electricity by continually monitoring temperature and CO2 levels in each classroom. The schools also have new heat pumps which rely on sustainable energy sources.
