Soppelsa Architekten

Description

The entire school complex will be restructured through two interventions at the edges of the site. An extension will be added to the upper-school building on the eastern edge of the school grounds, making it possible to organise all the upper-level classrooms in one building. The existing typology of single-loaded-corridors will be supplemented with a new, compact head-end, better framing the schoolyard. A circulation figure connects old and new, ending with a generous spiral staircase. The existing double-shell exposed brickwork is an extremely sustainable and durable choice for exterior wall construction. Accordingly, the extension is understood as a consistent continuation of the building. New parapet elements with exposed bricks offset in depth enrich the otherwise unpretentious appearance of the Imbach II school building. The existing school building from 1992 is structurally ideal for extensions. The load-bearing structure was developed as a column-slab system and allows for a flexible room layout. The newly planned lightweight partition walls can be easily moved in the future. The walls between the classrooms and the recreation hall will each have transom windows, contributing to a bright interior. Particularly on the second floor, the planned skylights and the gable formation create a light and airy learning atmosphere.