Primary School Stockflethweg

Project idea

A draft of a sustainable concept for an existing primary school location in Hamburg in cooperation with students from the Department of Education at the University of Hamburg.

How can the location develop? How are the existing buildings - also from the point of view of sustainability - integrated and integrated into a contemporary pedagogical concept? How does the communication between planners and users work?

A pedagogical approach and a structural concept are being developed in a team of students specializing in architecture and education. On the one hand, this should take into account the requirements of an all-day school orientation - after all, the pupils spend a whole day at school. Premises and outdoor areas must meet the different needs.

On the other hand, the motto "School as a living space" is intended to emphasize a changing learning culture. Learning takes place throughout the day in different settings. The students are the center of attention with all aspects of life.

The participating teams are obliged to consider the entire site - as a reorientation of the entire area including new construction, extension and renovation of existing buildings. Due to the ample space available at the location, the planning of the outdoor areas will also be part of the task.

Sustainability should be another important aspect of the planning process. The teams develop transferrable solutions that can also be used for other school locations.

Project description

The project is created as an urbanistic connecting node between 3 worlds - the original Kreuzbau building in the west, the existing canteen in the east and rows of houses on all sides of the plot. In order to use the land to its potential, the entrance lies to the north. There is also a parking lot and places for bikes. At the entrance, there is a generous space between 2 new buildings with a foyer and clusters, as well as a view into a private yard. This opens up the buildings to the existing surroundings.

As for the architectural aspect, the idea is composed of two new rectangular masses that follow the curves of the existing buildings both in the surroundings and in the school grounds themselves. The connection of both of these units is achieved through "umbrellas" in the exterior, which protect against bad weather and at the same time appear in the private yard and playground of the school.

The disposition of the primary school is divided into a private and public element. The new school building is connected to the Kreuzbau via a footbridge with a library. It contains two clusters that have their own two music rooms. A new extension of the canteen in the form of an entrance foyer for organizing events and greeting pupils in the morning, according to the request of the collaborating co-author from the field of pedagogy.

Technical information

A structural wall system, materially designed variants of white and green bricks and wood. These alternate in the design to help visually separate public and private functions.

Technologically the building breathes sustainability and follows nature. Use of renewable resources – photovoltaic panels for electricity, heating using a ground-water heat pump, utility rainwater and cleaned gray from the facade root cleaning.