A First Look at Dussenstraat (and OIA Secondary)
As we move closer to the next chapter in our journey towards Optimist International Academy, we are excited to share a new update on the development of our future learning environments.
Explore the full set of visuals here
The document brings together three sets of visuals, each showing a different stage in the development of our campuses:
- Current Primary campus (Dussenstraat)
A snapshot of how the building looks today, before the upcoming summer works. - Impression of the new Primary campus
Early design concepts showing how the Primary learning environment will be transformed over the summer, ready for the new school year. - Impression of the new Secondary campus
First visual impressions of OIA Secondary, located just across from Dussenstraat, reflecting the same educational vision and design approach.
Together, these slides offer a clear picture of where we are now, what will change over the summer, and what we are working towards as we continue to build OIA.
The picture above is of one of the playgrounds at the Dussenstraat campus.
Last month, we announced that from next school year onwards, our full Primary community will be reunited at the Dussenstraat campus. Since then, important progress has been made behind the scenes, and we are now delighted to offer families a first glimpse of how these spaces are beginning to take shape.
Together with Maar Bouwmanagement and interior architects De Ontwerpbar, we are currently developing the designs for both OIA Primary and OIA Secondary. These first visual impressions are still early concepts and not yet final plans, but they already show the direction we are working towards: calm, inspiring and flexible spaces designed around children and learning.
At OIA, we place the learner at the centre of everything we do, and that is clearly reflected in these designs. The new Primary environment is being shaped to support curiosity, independence, collaboration and wellbeing. Corridors will become extensions of the classroom, creating flexible learning spaces where children can work, inquire and reflect beyond their own group rooms.
A particularly exciting part of the plan is the inclusion of two large learning plazas, designed as shared learning hubs that extend classroom learning into open, dynamic environments. Alongside this, the new Library / Resource Centre will become a multifunctional space for reading, research, small-group learning and specialist support — an important part of daily school life and closely connected to our inquiry-driven educational approach.
Natural materials, soft colours and calm design choices help create an atmosphere where children can feel safe, focused and inspired. These plans are closely aligned with our vision for education: environments that actively support student agency, meaningful collaboration and joyful learning.
Because OIA is one continuous learning pathway from Primary to Secondary, the same educational philosophy is guiding the Secondary campus design as well. Just across the street from Dussenstraat, OIA Secondary is being developed with the same warm and thoughtful approach, creating a recognisable OIA identity across both campuses and supporting a smooth transition for students as they grow.
These designs are still evolving, and in the coming weeks they will continue to be refined together with our project partners. But even at this stage, they give a beautiful sense of what is ahead.
We are incredibly excited to bring these ideas to life and to create learning spaces that reflect the future of OIA — spaces where our students, staff and families will learn, grow and thrive together.
We look forward to sharing more updates soon.