Stefan-Andres-Grammar school, Schweich (GER)

project Competition for the new construction of the Stefan Andres grammar school in Schweich – new construction of the canteen for the whole school centre – planning of the generation and communication centre in Schweich (GER) awarding authority Landkreis Trier Saarburg planning WW+ architektur + management sàrl, Esch/Alzette (LUX) - Dietrich Untertrifaller Architekten, Bregenz (AT) net floor space (school building) 5.477 m² gross volume (school building) 24.314 m³

Explanations urban and open space

Urban space
The existing buildings of the school centre occupy spacious areas as solitaires without urbanistic junction. Together with the surrounding usage of commercial and traffic areas, administration buildings and recreational facilities, the settlement area built environment has a suburban character. With the
With the aim of squeezing the urban space the new buildings of the grammar school and canteen/communication centre approach consciously the Stefan-Andres-Street, thus defining spaces with an independent character: roadside environment, public space at the Stefan-Andres-fountain, school forum, interior green corridor and rear open spaces. According to their assignment the public, half public or rather the private utilization character of these rooms is clearly recognizable and they allow for orientation and conciliate spatial identity.
 

Utilization areas

Fountain place with constructional frame at the east and west side; opening towards the street and orientation towards the town centre; raised landing with stairs and shady tree roof. The forum as central school entrance and catchment area; spacious/functional delimitation to the road space (intermittency bus lane) with a row of trees and flower bed; green class room as a buffer to the adjoining space utilizations of the school buildings.
Interior green corridor as connection space between school buildings, gym and sport complex; utilization flexibility by neutral surfacing (grass pavers); “wild” tree copse as intentional contrast to the orthogonality of the overall construction and development structure.

Rear school garden as protected area; possibility for horticultural, ecological or experimental activity during the school lessons; open space for additional games (synthetic playfield or playground equipment).
Consideration of specific urban ecological issues by retention areas in the southern development region; parking spaces assigned to the gym and rear school entrances.
 

School

The clear three-storied body ranges along the Stefan-Andres-Street and is developed through a generous covered square at the forum. The attractive open arrangement of the rooms on the ground floor opens to all sides and is additionally naturally exposed from the top. These open spaces contain staircases, connecting the floors in a self-evident way and ending in stretched break room areas. The class rooms are oriented towards east and west, the adjoining rooms pooled inside as room clusters, thus creating a diversified development zone on two floors, which is accessorily charged by the elongated roof lights. The designated extension step 2 can be easily docked in the south. This extension by 390 m² is foreseen as a heightening, respectively a final complete stage during the second construction phase.

The facades are characterized by long drawn-out strip windows, which – due to their two-level placement – vividly differentiate the building and by the self-shadowing of the underlying elements allow for undisturbed views outside. In order to reduce energy consumption and internal loads – caused by artificial light – and to improve the visual comfort, we favor a best possible utilization of daylight in our concept. This is achieved by an optimal spatial geometry as well as suitable sunshade and antidazzle systems with daylight-guiding features.
 

Communal hall, Canteen

The square volume is precisely associated with the school and the existing buildings; it upgrades the surrounding open spaces through its double-sided orientation and is the connecting link to the town centre. A generous partly two-storied foyer binds together the different functions and is very useful for the school and activity business. Canteen and communal hall can be coupled; they are well sized with an acoustically advantageous large room height. The additional functions are placed over the adjoining rooms – between hall and foyer – in the upper floor. The generation meeting-point is arranged like a gallery with view into the communal hall, pre-located terrace in the south and a protected roof garden; the youth rooms and the office are oriented towards the street.