The restoration work on the monumental Beatrixschool is attracting broad attention. On Monday, 3 November, the public tender procedure officially began. On Tuesday, 11 November, an information session was held for contractors, during which interested companies received an explanation of the project, had the opportunity to ask questions, and were given a guided tour of the school building.
Government moved full speed from day one
Immediately after the new government took office on 28 March, Prime Minister Mike Eman was already standing at the gates of the Beatrixschool on 31 March, together with teams from Serlimar and DOW, to clear the building of years of accumulated debris and dust due to long-delayed maintenance. During this joint effort, three ministers — Mike Eman, Gerlien Croes and Geoffrey Wever, all former students of the Beatrixschool — announced right away that restoring this national monument is an absolute priority for them.
From that day on, Prime Minister Mike Eman and Minister of Education Gerlien Croes have driven the project forward with great determination. An abandoned LNT building of the neighboring Julianaschool was rapidly refurbished to serve as a Planning Bureau. In this building, directly across from the Beatrixschool, architect Daphne Every and her team worked at high speed on the drawings, preparations and planning that have now led to this tender process.
Strong interest from the sector
Contractor interest is high. For the electrical component, 8 companies have registered; for air-conditioning, 7 companies; and for construction work, another 7 companies. The companies are now preparing their cost calculations, and all price proposals must be submitted no later than 10 December.
A monument that will shine again
The project includes restoring sections of the building that have been altered over the years, with the goal of returning the Beatrixschool to its original state. At the same time, the monument will be fully modernized with contemporary facilities in the fields of electrical systems, safety, and air-conditioning. Once completed, the building will be both historically authentic and ready for the future.
Sustainability at the center
The renewed Beatrixschool will serve as an example of sustainable construction in Aruba:
* Condensation water from all air-conditioning units will be collected and used for flushing toilets.
* Rainwater and condensation water will be used to irrigate new landscaping on the playgrounds, creating shade and cooling.
* The building will be equipped with solar panels to offset a significant portion of its energy consumption.
A unique piece of heritage
Built in 1950 as an extension of the Julianaschool and bearing its current name since 1953, the Beatrixschool is the only protected monument in Aruba designed as a school — and still serving that function today. Because the building has undergone relatively few renovations, the restoration can faithfully return to the original design, a rarity within our heritage landscape.
Architect Daphne Every: “Heritage is the new sustainable”
Project leader and architect Daphne Every emphasizes the importance of this approach:
“In today’s world, it is more important than ever to protect our heritage — not only for our culture and identity, but also for true sustainability. There is nothing more sustainable than restoring a historic building and equipping it simultaneously with modern, energy-efficient systems.”
Press release: Government of Aruba
