IKC De Tamboerijn in Alphen aan den Rijn is the first completed facade project using the Second High Pretty Plastic Panel, marking a significant milestone for circular facade design.
In total, 1,985 kg of PVC waste, sourced from old window frames, gutters, and construction offcuts, was kept out of landfill and given a second life as high-quality cladding.
Image credits: Maarten van Apeldoorn
2025
Rather than demolishing and rebuilding from scratch, the project team of Sineth Architecture chose a smarter path: preserving the original structure while selectively renovating, partially demolishing, and adding compact new volumes.
The result is a school that feels entirely new while carrying far less material and energy cost than a full replacement.
The standout element in this project is the new entrance facade, clad in 152 m² of Second High tiles in three shades of Ochre (dark, medium and light) and Terracotta (light).
The Second High is a 30 × 30 cm facade tile with a faceted surface that creates a subtle play of light and shadow across the elevation. Its rotationally symmetric form allows both horizontal and vertical application, opening up a wide range of compositional possibilities.
The tile is designed for intensive daily use: it’s low-maintenance, impact-resistant, and – through Pretty Plastic’s smart mounting system – individually replaceable without touching the surrounding cladding.
IKC De Tamboerijn is also the first project completed with the new Second High mounting system. Custom-developed brackets made from recycled aluminium allowed for efficient, precise installation. The system is prefab-compatible and fully demountable, meaning the tiles can be recovered and reused at the end of the building’s life.
The new entrance facade needed its own identity. The idea of working with a single material across the full surface emerged early, but that material had to be durable, ball-proof, and circular. Pretty Plastic brought those qualities together.
A multifaceted wall panel, offering a durable solution for any facade.
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