It’s uncommon nowadays to find any of those classic little red schoolhouses from the likes of Little House on the Prairie or Lassie (assuming it was red; I only remember the reruns being in black-and-white), but it seems that they are trying to make a comeback. Kinda of, sort of; with a modern twist. Also, it’s not used as a schoolhouse, but rather as a youth center in Rosklide, Denmark.

This youth center that you see here actually converts an existing structure placed between an old village and a 1970’s development into a vibrant community landmark that links the two establishments together. Architecture firm Cornelius + Vöge took inspiration from the village’s local fisherman cabins and red barn buildings, and created a totally new façade system that allows the building to maintain its low energy standards. The youth center’s “vernacular” form undergoes a modern/deconstructivist twist with the projecting components and other eccentric sculptural features that turns the traditional schoolhouse design on its ear, while still maintaining the structure’s recognizable gable roof profile. Aside from the form, by giving the building a bright red color, it’s following the tradition that started with the old fisherman cabin in the village.

There you go: more proof that you can can take an old idea and still make it unique without pulling a complete cut-and-paste job. You hear that, Psycho (1997)?

[Thanks Architizer]