dornbirn children's home

architectural concept
the current urban situation is characterized by a heterogeneous collection of buildings along the heavily trafficked haselstauderstraße. the elementary school is located in the second row, its adjacent, well-used schoolyard is only partially shielded from traffic noise by the roadside trees. access to the school currently has safety deficits for children due to traffic conditions. the conversion of the traffic lane into a traffic-calmed shared space creates the basis for urban reorganization. in this area, all road users are treated equally, hazards are minimized by reduced speeds and modern mobility strategies. this enables the creation of the “dorfplatz haselstauden” – a central square defined by the church and cemetery, bakery, inn, parish center, pharmacy, newsstand, and the educational campus with kindergarten, vocational school, and elementary school.
the center of the square is occupied by children and villagers and dominated by the new event hall, the bühne haselstauden. under the large old trees, children play and parents sit, and festivals can take place without traffic noise. the event hall provides a flexible stage for cultural programs, complemented by culinary services from students of the nearby vocational school.

kindergarten
the entrance to the kindergarten faces the village square. the cloakroom at the entrance keeps the interior clean. communal areas on the ground floor promote interaction during drop-off and pick-up, supported by the open dining area. the quieter cluster areas are on the upper floor, brightly lit through an atrium and accessible via the “boot room.” the slight slope allows direct access to the shaded garden, offering diverse play and experimental areas.

the cluster concept is implemented spatially: four children’s groups with adjacent ancillary rooms are arranged around a shared activity area. direct outdoor access is provided via balconies, loggias, a central courtyard, and the large communal terrace leading into the garden.

gymnasium
the new gymnasium is positioned in the second row, allowing short, direct routes from the elementary school and kindergarten while minimizing construction efforts. it is embedded into the existing floor slab of the old gym wing, with intermediate thermal and moisture insulation. existing geothermal probes remain untouched; an underground connection to the event hall would require partial cutting of the probes. an external entrance separates the gym from the kindergarten and school.

event hall
culture, education, religion, and community life enliven the village square. the event hall is a flexible, naturally lit space that can be darkened or rearranged as needed. a suspended membrane ceiling ensures glare-free light distribution. teaching kitchens of the vocational school are adjacent to the foyer and can be opened for events. a transparent roof allows weather-protected access to the vocational school.

parking deck
a parking deck is located beneath the event hall, with direct elevator and stair access to the village square. the existing topography and barrier-free access allow naturally lit and ventilated parking spaces without additional mechanical ventilation, avoid unsafe zones, and enhance usability.

structural concept
to allow high internal flexibility, load-bearing walls are only used as needed for horizontal bracing. structural elements consist of reinforced concrete columns and slabs in an efficient grid. prestressed concrete beams are used above the gym, and the upper kindergarten is constructed as lightweight building. the parking deck is built in a 7.75 x 8.00 m grid; the load-bearing walls of the event hall rest on few columns, concrete ribs span the hall and ensure daylight guidance. embedding the gym in the existing structure allows efficient use of existing foundation slabs and walls while providing thermal and moisture protection.

material concept
the gym serves both the elementary school and kindergarten; the direct connection creates synergy effects. facade design follows the existing new elementary school, with subtle color differences to differentiate educational institutions. the event hall appears as a crystalline volume with suspended, semi-transparent glass elements.

fire safety and escape route concept
the structural system is made of reinforced concrete. fire compartments are < 1600 m². the gym and foyer are equipped with natural smoke and heat extraction. from any point, the outdoor space can be reached within less than 40 m, with at least two possible escape routes. the upper floor of the new kindergarten can evacuate directly to the outdoors within 40 m, eliminating the need for a stairwell. the gym is evacuated via the external entrance, with a second escape route leading to the elementary school’s fire compartment.

energy concept
the energy concept relies on passive building optimization, including avoidance of suspended ceilings to utilize thermal mass (reinforced concrete slabs and walls). acoustic elements are designed to activate the thermal mass. at night, if outdoor temperatures permit, skylights can automatically open to allow cross-ventilation, expelling warm air and bringing in cooler air. this preconditions the building for the next day. balconies, roof overhangs, and cantilevered parts provide glare-free lighting, prevent summer overheating, and allow protected ventilation. continuous external sunshades support temperature regulation. green roofs with thick humus layers absorb and delay solar heat, providing additional thermal stabilization. evaporative cooling from soil moisture releases latent heat. sloped shed roofs on the kindergarten and between the daylight ribs of the event hall provide areas for photovoltaics.