October 1, 2026 — In a triumph for historic preservation and community advocacy, a vacant mid-century architectural landmark in Utrecht has been given a new lease on life. The former ULO secondary school located at Rubenslaan 91, which sat abandoned and deteriorating for at least two decades, has been meticulously restored and expanded. Designed originally by renowned local architect Piet Dingemans (1910–1970) and constructed between 1956 and 1958, the building has now reopened its doors as the modern home of the Kromme Rijn College (KRC), thanks to an adaptive reuse project spearheaded by EVA architecten.
The transformation of the long-abandoned structure marks the end of a remarkable preservation battle. For twenty years, the building at Rubenslaan 91 stood empty, facing an uncertain future and the constant threat of demolition. However, the persistent efforts of local residents who recognized the architectural and cultural value of Dingemans’s original mid-century design ultimately saved the structure from being razed. Their grassroots dedication sparked a collaborative institutional effort to rescue and reimagine the site for contemporary educational needs.
Following detailed architectural and historical research conducted by Stichting Mevrouw Meijer—an organization dedicated to the preservation and sustainable transformation of post-war architecture—key stakeholders stepped in to save the property. SPO Utrecht, the public educational board, alongside the Municipality of Utrecht, made the strategic decision to invest in the site. Rather than clearing the land for new construction, the city chose a sustainable path of adaptive reuse, commissioning EVA architecten to breathe new life into the historic framework while designing a modern extension tailored specifically to the spatial and functional requirements of the Kromme Rijn College.
The resulting project bridges the gap between mid-century modernist heritage and modern educational design. Piet Dingemans, a prominent Utrecht-based architect whose work defined a significant era of post-war civic and educational construction in the region, originally conceived the Rubenslaan 91 school with a distinct architectural identity characterized by clean lines, functional layouts, and a sensitive integration into the urban fabric. EVA architecten approached the restoration with a deep respect for Dingemans’s original vision, carefully preserving the historical facade and structural hallmarks of the 1950s edifice while upgrading the building’s performance standards to meet contemporary educational demands.
By integrating a newly constructed extension that harmonizes with the restored heritage building, the design team successfully expanded the usable footprint to accommodate the specialized needs of the Kromme Rijn College. The completed campus provides a contemporary, inspiring learning environment that honors its past while looking firmly toward the future. The successful rescue and redesign of the Rubenslaan 91 complex now stands as a benchmark for historic preservation in Utrecht, demonstrating how neglected post-war educational architecture can be successfully adapted to serve new generations of students through thoughtful design and community-driven advocacy.
