In Wehe-den Hoorn, the former Sint Ludgerus School — home to artist collective De Ploeg — was selected by the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) as a pilot for the Creative Lab on heritage and sustainability. The central question: how can a rural monument be made future-proof and gas-free without losing its historic and cultural value?

The proposal places the building’s skin at the center, where energy, comfort, and cultural value come together. Instead of relying on technical upgrades, the design uses the envelope to carry both performance and meaning.

The renovation uses local, bio-based materials such as hemp, flax, and timber. These make the structure breathable and reversible, improve the indoor climate, and connect the project to regional farming and craft traditions.

Alongside the technical strategy, the building is programmed as a cultural hub with exhibition spaces, shared workrooms, and community facilities. As a prototype, De Ploeg shows how heritage can drive climate goals, strengthen local economies, and remain a vital part of village life.