Hortgebäude von Birken-Grundschule

Under a solid roof made of exposed concrete, the new building offers plenty of space for the expansion of Birken Primary School and School am Grüngürtel into open all-day schools with 155 pupils.

Located in the streetfront of a residential building from the Wilhelminian era, the new structure mediates between the perimeter block development in the south and an open-plan development with four-storey residential buildings from the 1950s in the north. As part of the project, the spacious sports and recreation areas inside the heterogeneous urban block were also reorganised.

A two-storey arcade marks the main entrance on the path connecting the two schools. This spot, with a wooden bench, is the ideal meeting place for waiting parents, children and teachers. The open, inviting gesture of the arcade is reinforced by the cantilevered roof with slender exposed concrete beams. The cool material of exposed concrete contrasts with wooden slats stretching from floor to roof.

The programme for the two-storey new building includes a canteen with kitchen, a multi-purpose room, four group rooms and four classrooms with different specification profiles. The rooms open onto the surrounding garden areas through large wooden windows.