Meike Hiddink

Making space work for you

We live in a time where societal pressures and digitalisation are increasingly distancing us from the physical world. All of us, but especially young people, are less connected to our immediate surroundings. This has consequences for our well-being: we become overstimulated more quickly, alienated from our surroundings, and lose touch with ourselves and others.

I believe that the space around us can help us reconnect with the physical world. By rediscovering our sense of feeling, experiencing, and awareness of what surrounds us, we can strengthen our mental resilience. Space is not only functional; it can comfort, challenge, and calm.

Therefore, my design focuses on creating environments that encourage connection with others, but also allow for self-connection. I do this by creating zones for social interaction as well as by providing enclosed spaces.

My design for the school environment creates a balance between open meeting places and intimate spaces for rest and reflection. In this way, I support the students' mental well-being. This creates enclosed spaces where you can work in silence, as well as spaces for interactive group or interdisciplinary lessons. There's also room for traditional classroom teaching and moments of relaxation.

It is not only the interaction between these spaces that helps students connect with the physical world. The staircases between floors ensure that students are removed from their everyday surroundings and are constantly exposed to new impressions. This is accomplished not through stimuli from the digital world, but through spatial experiences that encourage slowing down and awareness. This supports my goal of drawing young people more deeply into the physical world and strengthening their sense of connection.

Because when we feel more connected to our environment, our mental well-being improves. For me, that's precisely where the power of space lies.