Gymnasium Hohenbaden

A wooden structure carefully integrated into the historic building and the extension of the 1950s annexe by an additional storey and a further axis to the north are the main - externally visible - interventions for the extension of the existing Hohenbaden Grammar School. This creates mixed-age learning clusters in the historic building, additional special-purpose classrooms in the sensitively converted attic of the old building and in the extension, as well as a public ground floor with direct, barrier-free access to the garden with new high-quality open spaces for the pupils to use for recreation. This will enable the Hohenbaden Gymnasium to develop into a modern all-day school despite its limited spatial resources.

A series of gently sloping terraces harmoniously integrates the Hohenbaden Gymnasium into the Kurpark of Baden-Baden, which borders it to the north. The Seufzerallee will in the future form the boundary of the new outdoor school areas arranged here. This will create highly usable outdoor spaces for the pupils, a large and a small green classroom, a school garden and lounging lawns with platforms for relaxing after class, and as well an activity area for setting up the existing table tennis boards.

The existing skeleton construction of the extension, made of reinforced concrete from the 1950s with a 30 cm thick ribbed ceiling, will be extended with a wood-concrete hybrid construction. Wooden columns and a wide-span ceiling construction made of laminated timber with concrete decking will be used. The extensive exterior walls are largely glazed above a low parapet at bench height and equipped with narrow, tall windows that can be opened. The skeleton construction is clad with wood on the outside and remains visible. Shutters with wooden louvers, which allow sunlight into the interior and provide views even when closed, ensure heat protection in summer.