CH, 2012, in collaboration with Renate Rödel and Štěpánka Šmídová (landscape design)
Open architectural competition in St. Gallen, CH, for a new primary school.
Each function of this school is given its own building. The design of the landscape creates new public, semi-public, and open spaces for children. It is a place for learning and for free time activities.
The gym is integrated into the slope of the main street. It divides the plot into two symbolic sections: the gym area oriented towards the street and the calmer area of the school. The gym and its roof also serve for leisure and sport activities — not only for the pupils, but also for the public.
The school is located behind the gym and also interacts with the slope — it partly penetrates it and is partly erected above it.
There is a semi-public plaza in between the two areas surrounding an old oak tree, which makes for a dramatic entrance to the school. Next to the gym there is a protected space for a kindergarten.
This symbiosis of school and slope allowed for the orientation of the classrooms in an east-west direction, in order that they receive the best light possible. Every classroom has a balcony and a connection to the outdoor terraces. Inside, there are spaces dedicated to collaboration between classes.
The kindergarten is the smallest building. It must be safe, it must be attractive, and it must be private.
