education campus ellbögen

urban planning concept
the site for the new Ellbögen Education Campus is characterized by its privileged location amidst meadows high above the Wipptal Valley, offering fantastic panoramic views of the Tyrolean mountains.
in the immediate vicinity of the church, a new multifunctional village square will be created between the education campus and the existing building of the former school. this square is intended for various uses and at the same time will function as the forecourt of the school, which presents a design challenge.

architecture / design aspects
the education campus will have a single shared entrance for everyone — a meeting point for parents and children from the different educational institutions. The entrance area features an open, multi-story spatial volume that can serve as an assembly hall (aula) for shared events and celebrations.
the kindergarten and nursery are connected to this central space on the ground floor, while the primary school is located on the upper floor. All areas have direct access to outdoor spaces that can be integrated into the educational concept: Kindergarten and nursery on the ground floor. primary school on the terraces above the kindergarten. all units are accessed through anteroom cloakroom areas designed as mudrooms to keep interior spaces clean.

kindergarten and nursery
all kindergarten group rooms are oriented to the southwest and open onto large, covered verandas. each two groups share an unheated winter garden as a buffer zone: in summer, it can be fully opened, in transitional seasons, it provides additional usable space. in winter, it acts as a climate buffer. the marketplace, movement room, quiet room, and group division spaces open onto two recessed courtyards (atria) that serve as small outdoor arenas with slides. the nursery rooms are oriented to the northeast and have direct access to covered outdoor play areas.

primary school and after-school care
the primary school and after-school care facilities are designed for shared use. these spaces are organized on the same level but can be used separately, allowing for flexible use throughout the day. all primary school classrooms face northeast and have covered balconies in front. the central marketplace area opens onto the large roof terrace above the kindergarten. this area provides sheltered spaces for outdoor lessons, protected from sun and rain. the library, multipurpose room, workshop, and recreation room provide flexible space that can be used by the primary school, after-school care, or external community groups. In combination with the gymnasium, this entire area can also serve community functions.

construction / materials
the basement and ground floor, which are fully or partially below ground level, are constructed in reinforced concrete. the upper floor is built entirely using simple timber construction. special attention is paid to the ecological footprint, including CO₂ emissions from production, transportation, and dismantling of building materials. all classrooms, open learning zones, and marketplaces feature wooden floors, enhancing their use as seating and play areas. the ventilated façades are clad with wooden paneling, and the windows are made as wood-aluminum constructions. transparent surfaces are equipped with effective external sunshades. overhanging roofs and balconies provide protection against high sun, weathering, and dirt, while making cleaning and maintenance easier. trees in front of the façades offer additional shading.

energy concept
the energy concept is based on passive building optimization, including: avoidance of suspended ceilings to utilize the building’s thermal mass (reinforced concrete or solid wood walls and ceilings). acoustic elements are designed so that thermal mass remains active. balconies, roof overhangs, and cantilevered elements ensure glare-free lighting, prevent summer overheating, and allow protected natural ventilation. continuous external sunshades support temperature regulation. heating is provided by a woodchip heating system. photovoltaic panels are installed on the sloped roof sheds to supply renewable energy.