Reproductie van een ontwerp van een vooraanzicht van een industriële school door Louis Boonen before 1893

This is a reproduction by Römmler & Jonas of a design by Louis Boonen, depicting the front view of an industrial school. The print offers us a glimpse into the architecture of industrial education. The design reflects the values and priorities of the time: a structured, imposing facade which probably intended to communicate order, discipline, and progress – ideals strongly associated with the industrial era. The architecture of educational institutions often embodies the societal expectations placed upon the students who attend them. Industrial schools like this one played a role in shaping individuals to fit into specific societal roles, reinforcing class structures and norms. The design may have subtly dictated behavior and instilled a sense of conformity. Consider the hopes and aspirations of those who walked through its doors. Did this design inspire or constrain them? What kind of educational experience did this architectural design seek to enable or prevent?