In Lanaken, the first stone was laid today for the new Pyxiscollege campus. Gert Bijnens, Chair of the Lanaken School Community, and Dieter Hermans, General Director of Pyxiscollege, together with Mayor Marino Keulen, officially kicked off this ambitious construction project. From mid-2028, the new campus will accommodate 1,050 students and 160 staff members.
One campus, a shared vision
On Stationsstraat, a modern, future-ready campus will rise over the coming years, bringing the entire Pyxiscollege together on one site. From mid-2028, the school will have space here for 1,050 students and 160 staff members. The design by OM/AR Architecten brings everything together in an open, energy-efficient school building of approximately 13,000 m², composed of three blocks in a green setting. Between the volumes, a green zone keeps the park behind the site visible and tangible. The theatre and dining hall sit at the heart of the campus. Together with the teachers’ areas, they create central meeting places where connection and community take centre stage.
“With this campus, we are building the school of the future,” says Gert Bijnens, Chair of the Board of vzw Scholengemeenschap Lanaken. “We are creating a learning environment where space, light and collaboration come together. By sharing facilities between the lower secondary school and the upper years, we enable integrated learning across domains.”
A dedicated place for the first grade
The first grade will have its own building, with a separate entrance and its own playground. Pyxiscollege makes this choice deliberately: young people aged 12 to 14 need clarity, safety and a sense of security. Giving them their own place within the campus preserves warmth and a human scale.
A strong future for education in Lanaken
For the municipality of Lanaken, the new campus also represents an important step forward.
“This new campus will become a real landmark at the entrance to our municipality — the gateway to Lanaken,” says Mayor Marino Keulen. “It is a major asset to keep attracting young people and families here. With this investment, we strengthen our position as an education-minded municipality.”
The total built area amounts to approximately 13,000 m², complemented by 17,000 m² of landscaping and outdoor works. The total construction cost is estimated at around €42 million.
Sustainable, flexible and ready for tomorrow
The new campus will not only be architecturally strong; it is also designed to be sustainable and flexible. The energy-efficient building focuses on future-proof technologies and a well-considered infrastructure that can grow with changing educational needs. Classrooms can be easily adapted to innovative teaching methods and digital applications. The campus is therefore not a static building, but a dynamic learning environment that evolves with the world of tomorrow.
Aurora Scholen is responsible for the design, construction, financing and maintenance of the new buildings. The consortium consists of investors EPICo and Rebel, and contractors Democo and Van Roey. After completion, the construction team will remain responsible for maintenance for a further 30 years, carried out by The Energy Circle.
“This is a project with a major social impact,” says Jochen Willen, General Director of Democo. “We are not just building a school, but a sustainable learning environment that will last for decades. The campus is designed to be flexible and can be easily adapted or expanded in the future. It also offers space for use by external partners. The fact that we also take care of long-term maintenance gives the school community maximum peace of mind.”
If everything goes according to plan, the new Pyxiscollege campus will open its doors in August 2028.
