Elementary School South in Bitburg. Extension buildings for diverse requirements.
The task in this open realization competition was the planning of an extension building, a refectory, a new sports hall and a new schoolyard design for the all-day school and the focus school for the integration of children with impairments. A new, contemporary and sustainable learning and recreation area is to be created.
The design approach involves creating open extension buildings with flexible room layouts that are invitingly connected to the existing building structure. It envisages the addition of an extension building and the new sports hall to the existing building to form a perimeter block. Both fit objectively into the urban structure. A protected school and break yard for the student body is created, which also serves as a creative zone outside of learning time. The second extension (idea part) with a new library forms the southern end of the block edge. Open space with existing trees is preserved and provides an additional backdrop. With the northern new building edge, the square is framed in the direction of the city center.
Versatility
The hybrid new building combines the refectory and the foyer on the first floor as the new heart of the school. The flexibility allows for a wide variety of uses. Transparent transitions connect the building sections on the second floor. On the first floor, a covered walkway allows children and adults to move dryly between the buildings. Clusters with differentiation or inclusion rooms are planned on the second floor. Generously designed corridor areas not only serve as circulation areas, but also provide additional teaching, learning and living space and more opportunities for social interaction.
The facade design of the sports hall matches that of the extension buildings, but its height is reduced to make it less dominant. Changing rooms and technical rooms are located in the basement, the entire hall is lower in the terrain, so that it appears single-story. The sports hall is planned as a timber structure. All roofs are planned as flat roofs with extensive green roofs and PV systems. The facade is designed as a slabbed, curtain wall clinker facade. Generous window areas provide pleasant natural lighting. Inside, large-scale plain floor coverings, exposed concrete ceilings in combination with warm materials such as wood (e.g. for doors and windows) and color accents provide a suitable feel-good atmosphere. Reinforced concrete ceilings serve as heat accumulators and are a structurally proven design.
Quality in open space
The design of the open spaces has basically been created taking into account the existing "historical" and quality open space elements such as the walls and trees. The new construction of the gymnasium and the cafeteria creates a zoning of the open spaces with clear orientation and address formation to the city center and a rather introverted, well-lit and sunny schoolyard with opening to the south and southwest. The schoolyard is divided into different activity areas and green rest areas by set fields with diverse functions and offers.
More views
Sports hall
School campus Willy-Hellpach-School
Municipal school buildings
School Campus East
