After the spring break of 2025, Permeke Primary School in Jabbeke moved into a brand-new building designed with sustainability, comfort and smart technology in mind. On site, we spoke with Jo Montens, Energy-Monuments-Heritage coordinator at the GO! school cluster “Impact Brugge”, and Jan Vanmoortel, project manager at installer Van Vooren from Bruges. We discussed their choice for Niko's DALI-2 presence detectors and their impact on daily life at the school.
Jo Montens
Energy-Monuments-Heritage coordinator at the GO! school cluster “Impact Brugge”
Jan Vanmoortel
Project manager at installation firm Van Vooren
Sustainability and comfort at the core
The new building is part of an ambitious master plan by the school group, which manages more than 50 schools and undertakes renovation or new construction projects each year. The focus is always on sustainability, safety and comfort. The school combines a geothermal heat pump, high-quality insulation, a fully electric installation and solar panels, creating an energy-efficient building that also offers a warm and inspiring learning environment.
"We want to create infrastructure that motivates pupils, provides comfort and is ready for the future. That is why it is essential that our design choices are truly functional and meaningful",
- explains Jo Montens.
Intelligent, tailored lighting
All classrooms are equipped with DALI-2 presence detectors featuring automatic daylight control, with multi-zone board lighting configurations. As a result, teachers hardly need to touch a switch: the lighting adjusts automatically to movement and daylight. For example, lights closer to the windows burn less brightly, while lights further from natural daylight shine more intensely. When clouds appear, the lighting discreetly increases in brightness.
Thanks to multi-zone settings, teachers can illuminate the board area more brightly while dimming the rest of the room. This improves visual comfort and ensures the lighting is always perfectly aligned with the activity at hand.
A payback through energy savings
Switching from fluorescent lighting to energy-efficient LED fixtures allows the school to save up to 70% on energy costs.
Automatic shut-off during absence adds an additional 20% in direct savings, and daylight-based control delivers even more gains. Every bit of unnecessary lighting is eliminated.
Technical refinement and easy maintenance
For this project, Van Vooren used Niko’s SnapFit mounting system for the first time. Previously, wooden plates and custom solutions were needed to protect ceiling tiles from cracks and damage during installation. With Niko’s SnapFit mounting system, a simple cut-out and a quick click are all it takes to ensure a quick and stable mounting. Installing the Niko DALI-2 detectors was remarkably smooth.
"With the SnapFit system, we save an average of ten minutes per detector. On a project with 100 detectors, that makes a big difference",
- explains Jan Vanmoortel.
The detectors are also easy to unscrew and replace, making maintenance simpler and faster.
Thanks to intuitive Bluetooth configuration, the school staff can adjust zones and scenarios themselves after installation without external assistance.
Safe, flexible and independently controlled
Each detector operates autonomously, so a defect does not affect the entire system. This approach is more robust and perfectly suited to the dynamic environment of a school. It also encourages teachers to engage actively with the infrastructure, for example, by adjusting light scenarios to match teaching or play time.
Balancing the learning flow with energy management
Smart lighting does not only contribute to energy savings but also enhances comfort and the learning experience. The diffuse, glare-free light supports various educational activities, from quiet work to creative lessons. The infrastructure is designed to grow with future needs and scenarios, such as dynamic light adjustments.
Smooth execution thanks to strong collaboration
The construction and delivery proceeded entirely according to plan, thanks to careful preparation and close collaboration with the main contractor Alheembouw and subcontractor Van Vooren.
During the design phase, a designated team from the school staff worked closely with the building contractor and architect to define the needs. Together, they developed a final plan that already considered functional choices and user experience.
"We do not just build structures, but environments that contribute to the learning process and the wellbeing of our pupils", summarises Jo Montens.
Sustainable construction also means consciously choosing quality. Jo applies this principle as widely as possible across all schools in his school cluster. This standardisation makes it easier for the maintenance staff who work in multiple schools.
"Cheaper products may seem like a smart choice at first glance, but they come with hidden costs: cheaper materials break sooner and need replacement, leading to higher total costs over time. Ease of maintenance is also a decisive factor. That is why we place our trust in Niko detectors", says Jo Montens.
Multi-zone lighting
In practice, teachers hardly ever need to operate light switches anymore. Except when they want to highlight specific areas of the learning space.
With multi-zone control, teachers can brighten the board area while dimming the rest of the classroom to keep pupils' attention focused exactly where it needs to be.
The DALI-2 detectors take the work off your hands
The school is equipped with around 100 DALI-2 detectors installed in the ceiling.
They ensure a seamless and efficient lighting experience: automatic on and off switching based on presence, lighting different zones according to movement, adjusting light intensity to available daylight, and so on. In the past, the school sometimes received calls from neighbours in the evening, during weekends or holidays, mentioning that some lights were still on.
That is now completely a thing of the past.
Contemporary school design with modern comfort
Permeke Primary School has moved entirely away from conservative school design and chose a modern approach focused on functional, experience-driven education.
The open learning environment requires more planning than a standard classroom, but offers teachers and pupils so much more comfort. And in the end, that is what truly matters, right?
Smart, sustainable comfort for every pupil
Permeke Primary School proves that smart technology, sustainable choices and comfort can go hand in hand, even in education. The choice of Niko's DALI-2 detectors is at the heart of a future-focused concept that combines comfort, safety, flexibility and energy efficiency.
The smooth collaboration between the school, Van Vooren and Niko makes this project an inspiring example for other schools that want to invest in a smart and sustainable learning environment.
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