The existing site of the Ergenzingen Primary School is being expanded into a modern all-day school with three classes per grade and a canteen. The existing building is to be incorporated into the restructuring with minimal structural interventions. To design a modern school building that can adequately reflect current and future developments in the educational landscape, the floor plan structures are of crucial importance. The aim is to create cluster-like spatial layouts for each grade, both in the existing and the new building, and to give the primary school a new central hub in the form of the new auditorium as its entrance.
The linear building structure of the existing gable-roof buildings is complemented by a compact new building at the southwest corner of the site, acting as an urban counterpart to the gymnasium. This allows the central open space of the schoolyard to be preserved in its required size and generously connected to the sports area to the west by demolishing the connecting building between the existing structure and the gymnasium. This solution leaves enough space on the site for the future replacement by a larger sports hall. A U-shaped pergola structure spatially delineates the schoolyard and prominently marks the entrance on Königsberger Strasse.
Since the school operates on a full-day schedule, the quality of the interior spaces is of utmost importance, especially in the learning clusters. Our guiding principle is the “learning landscape”: a spatial structure that is as open as possible and offers better and more diverse utilisation options than conventional school floor plans. For the restructuring of the school, a continuous learning landscape is created, grouping the classrooms of each grade into learning clusters. At the centre of each cluster is an open multifunctional area that offers a variety of spaces. Three learning clusters are positioned on the upper floor so that all three can be accessed independently from the ground floor. The freed-up space of the former canteen in the existing building is ideal for the fourth cluster on the ground floor. Clusters that are also used as passageways are thus avoided. In the new building, the international preparatory class with an inclusion room complements the room schedule.
The positioning of the new building results in a spatially defined courtyard that opens up to the south. The central entrance is also located here, directly connected to the existing crosswalk over Königsberger Strasse. Between the preserved trees and the existing gymnasium, an address-generating and identity-forming gateway situation is emerging.
The new main entrance is reached via the central schoolyard, which is enclosed by a covered walkway. The slight difference in height between the new building and the existing structure to the west is bridged by flat steps and a barrier-free ramp. Three loosely arranged, shade-giving trees in combination with seating elements create spatially effective structures and give the schoolyard a very pleasant atmosphere. A play and movement area is laid out in the area around the large trees to the west of the new building.
A generous green area with a school garden, multifunctional playing field, a jumping facility and a lawn for playing and resting adjoins to the west and past the open walkway.
