Open structures for inspiring spaces and an ideal learning environment
For some time now, we have been experiencing a paradigm shift in education. Moving away from lecture-based teaching and towards interactive learning. Abandoning enclosed class rooms limited to specific subjects, moving towards open, versatile designs. In this spirit we designed the new Albert-Schäffle School (ASS) building in Nürtingen together with Michel + Wolf Architekten to offer an ideal learning and teaching environment. Due to its location on a hill above the centre of Nürtingen, the architects attached just as much importance to integrating the building into the topography of the site as to the view into the landscape.
School campus as a new centre
Interacting with the adjacent grammar school and sports hall, the new building creates a clearly defined campus that forms a new centre. The two rectangular wings are aligned with the neighbouring large structures and form a boundary at the edge of the slope to the north-west. In harmony with the topography, the building has two storeys on the north and east sides and extends to three storeys as it rises towards the street and the valley. The outdoor recreation areas are located to the east of the school building. The sports ground is at the same level as the schoolyard and can temporarily be used as an additional playground. A glazed connection between the two parts of the building marks the main entrance, which faces the campus with an open, three-storey atrium.
Space for community and encounters
The heart of the school and central design element is the spacious atrium. It connects the entrance hall with all other floors. Daylight enters through a skylight strip and creates a bright, pleasant interior. The connecting walkways in the atrium form wide open-plan zones providing space to gather, for learning islands and for exhibitions. From the main entrance, a large staircase with seating steps leads down to the lower level to a multi-purpose event area.
In the future, you can no longer blame the students for looking out the window of their classroom and enjoying the fantastic view. If possible, I even look out as well. If possible, I even look out of the window.
Offering different spaces for alternative forms of learning and encounters had been a key objective. Thus, in addition to the classrooms and teachers’ rooms, some of which can be enlarged, there are plenty of common areas, for instance a rehearsal studio for the teacher-student band, a conference room, spaces, and niches for the school’s own gallery. The administration and day-care area including the school kitchen, studies and activity rooms extends southeast from the main entrance towards the valley. An inner courtyard provides natural daylight to the centre of the day-care area.
The compact layout and proximity of all areas of activity creates a lively and inviting building with new spatial qualities and learning opportunities. The choice of colours and materials, the daylight atmosphere and the view support this exceptional quality. The digital equipment is a pilot project in the region: All classrooms are equipped with cutting edge media and networks, and innovative technology has been integrated throughout the building.
Experiencing sustainability
A PV system, an energy-efficient ventilation and cooling system plus rainwater utilization make the school building basically carbon neutral. Sustainability is also brought to life through the design of the open spaces, and the school’s outdoor area is integrated into the landscape. In the north and west, the typical orchards of the region will be replanted. In addition to the open spaces, the green roofs of the buildings, water-permeable paving, and grass-covered troughs and ditches with underground gravel trenches serve to collect and retain rainwater.
Project information
Location: Nürtingen
Architects: asp Architekten GmbH, Stuttgart/DE and Michel + Wolf Architekten GmbH, Stuttgart/DE
Name: Albert-Schäffle School
Project type: New construction
Location: Nürtingen
Client: Landratsamt Esslingen
Completion: 02/2020
Planning partner: Quantum Betriebsmanagement & Consulting GmbH (project management), WOLFF & MÜLLER Holding GmbH & Co. KG (general contractor), Dietz Würtele Ingenieure (structural engineering), Ingenieurbüro Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Weingärtner VDI (TGA planning), Ingenieurbüro Schork GmbH & Co. KG (electrical planning), Pfrommer + Roeder GbR Freie Landschaftsarchitekten (outdoor facilities)
Project team: Larissa Abdelhadi, Sabrina Bauer, Onur Canvarol, Christina Tocheva
Images: Philipp Mürdter
