Primary school with new envelope of warm red brick and Platowood Fraké

To meet modern standards, primary school De Uilenbrink in Veghel underwent a major renovation. The building received a completely new outer shell, consisting of red brick combined with Platowood Fraké cladding. Additionally, the recessed entrance was highlighted with Platowood wood for visual contrast.

Thomas Architecten on the choice for Platowood:
“We wanted to soften the harsh look of the masonry with a warm material. We conducted an extensive search into wood façades, exploring possibilities, sustainability, aesthetics, and more. Platowood Fraké turned out to be the best fit with the rich red colour of the brick — and it’s also a sustainable option. We considered using a finish to preserve the brown tone of the wood, but that would require regular maintenance. So we designed with the natural greying process in mind, ensuring that the wood would still fit beautifully within the colour palette once weathered.”