Monument renovation using natural materials

‘Architecture is generally a conservative sector. You can take an objective approach to the building and the intended renovation; but in our view, an architect needs to physically explore the building and become familiar with the users and how they use the building before heading to the drawing board.’ These are the words of Nicole Maurer from the Maastricht-based Maurer United Architects (MUA). The firm's designs are characterized by their limitless diversity achieved through collaboration with professionals from unusual disciplines, such as graffiti artists, VJs, DJs, fashion designers, and video game developers.

In 2012, the school board of the MosaLira educational foundation in Maastricht invited MUA to provide their input on the renovation of the Montessorischool, one of the foundation's school buildings. Maurer explains, ‘The biggest challenge for us was to produce a design that facilitates the open style of education practised by Montessori in an originally closed cloister environment, bearing in mind that the premises were designed by none other than Alphons Boosten. He was an advocate of radical modernism and a champion of the use of local natural materials. Just like Boosten, we identified many opportunities and possibilities to design and renovate within the context of the surrounding environment – an ambition we achieved by using the Cradle to Cradle tiles manufactured by Mosa and other design features. These tiles also helped to preserve the monumental character of the building. At the same time, we made sure not to lose sight of the functionality of each room, and so installed ceramics in the hallways, toilets, and kitchen and laid lino flooring in the assembly hall. The entire building now offers a quiet, solid basis that is given a further dose of expression and colour by its users – the pupils. Now that the project is complete and the new school term has begun, we can see how the renovation works are benefiting day-to-day activities and how users are now treating the building with respect. The whole atmosphere has changed for the better. We enjoy using Mosa's small ivory-black tiles, and install them in various ways in different projects to give our work its very own signature.’

Maurer United Architects