Adaptive Reuse Reclaims the Spatial Character of a Historic Utrecht School | DP6 & i29 Architects

This 1903 school building now houses Utrecht’s training institute for the Judiciary and Public Prosecution Service through an adaptive reuse project that reinstates the spatial clarity and architectural character of the original structure. Commissioned by the Central Government Real Estate Agency, Courthouse Building H in Utrecht demonstrates how adaptive reuse and structural optimisation can restore spatial coherence to a historic landmark. Originally built in 1903 as a municipal secondary school designed by architect F. J. Nieuwenhuis, the building featured a symmetrical U-shaped layout, long sightlines, high ceilings and a strong sense of openness. It functioned as a school until around […]