“Beauty speaks to us, teaches us and helps us understand that life has meaning”
François Cheng

The Institut de l’Assomption in Brussels is deeply embedded in a village-like neighbourhood of our capital. When we considered a systemic ‘overhaul’ of the buildings to accommodate more young people and provide them with spaces where all aspects of their education could flourish, we incorporated works of art from various fields (stained glass, ceramics, sculpture, photography, painting, flower gardens, etc.).
We have not overlooked environmental considerations, making the school as self-sufficient as possible by collecting rainwater, reducing waste and generating electricity on the roof.

The primary aim is to instil a sense of pride in the young people who enter the school and, on a subconscious level, to help them understand that there is a dimension that transcends us all. The space given to art represents a commitment to prioritising spirituality in education.

‘In my many visits, I have never seen such a perfect alignment between an educational vision and the architectural and artistic designs,’ remarked the Secretary-General for Catholic Education at the inauguration.

As part of this transformation, spaces have been created to provide professional career guidance, as well as welcoming, spiritual environments that open students up to the wider world. This period of transformation has led to a change in the weekly timetable, allowing young people to set aside part of one afternoon each week to do ‘something completely different’.

Etienne Bontemps
Ecole de Boitsfort