gerlos training center

urban design concept
to provide a generous entrance plaza, construction on the southern portion of the site projecting toward gerlosstraße is omitted, minimizing the impact on the neighboring house. this paved forecourt connects near the bus stop to the public street, including bicycle parking and play equipment in the green area, with a row of trees providing an additional buffer to the single-family house. the designated park-and-ride area also serves to access the five required on-site parking spaces. from here, the entrance to the educational center is reached via a short side access. the gently sloping roof of the ramp to the open parking deck serves as an outdoor arena for events. the area designated as the gravel basin remains undeveloped, with only a balcony on the upper floor and a bridge connection in the northwest corner extending into this non-buildable zone. the twelve required underground parking spaces are organized in a parking deck at gym level, allowing external athletes barrier-free access to the gym area without entering the rest of the school.

architectural concept
the site for the new educational center gerlos is characterized by a gentle southeast slope near gerlosstraße, with the southeastern corner occupied by a single-family house.
the principle that the spaces for the nursery and kindergarten should be located on the entrance level with direct outdoor access, combined with the desire not to place a multi-story building opposite the single-family house, led to the decision to design a low building primarily consisting of two levels: one for the youngest children and one for primary school students. the third level, containing the gym and service areas, is embedded in the terrain below the entrance level.
the kindergarten/nursery and primary school levels are connected by a generous seating arena, creating a two-story aula. the center of the building is the two-story aula adjacent to the gym, with seating and a small grandstand. this two-story foyer connects the level for the youngest children with the primary school level.
movement and play areas for nursery and kindergarten are located at the narrow ends of the gym airspace. this indoor campus provides space for all types of events and serves as a meeting point for children. it encourages sitting and observing, functions as a recreation, play, and learning area, and provides good orientation within the building.
the spatial concept supports the spirit of the school: openness, clarity, orientation, connectivity, generosity, daylight-filled friendliness, and fluid transitions between interior and exterior. the various spatial situations offer a diverse range of uses for different groups and individuals. areas are clear and open.
by limiting the building to two levels, short distances between kindergarten and primary school, and the shared two-story aula, synergies are achieved through shared spaces, such as the combined kitchens for nursery/kindergarten and primary school or the location of the grandstand directly adjacent to the aula. required floor areas in the program can thus be reduced.

nursery/kindergarten
the spaces for the youngest children are located near the entrance. both nursery and kindergarten have separate entrances through their cloakrooms, which lead into the respective movement and play areas. the entrance vestibule also serves as a stroller parking area. all group rooms have direct access to covered outdoor spaces. interior and exterior benches along the glass façades can be connected via sliding window elements to form large lounging and play areas, ensuring a seamless indoor-outdoor transition. sliding door elements allow all group rooms generous connections to adjacent movement and play zones for cross-group activities. the kitchen, shared with the primary school, is located directly at the entrance with a large covered outdoor area for dining.

primary school
primary school children enter their central cloakroom next to the main entrance and reach the upper-level area via the reading staircase and two-story aula. immediately adjacent to the upper aula with library and large covered outdoor space, one side hosts clusters with a marketplace and classrooms, while the mirrored side accommodates the creative and exploration area with after-school care. both marketplaces can be opened to the upper aula via large sliding elements, creating a continuous large area for the primary school. the elongated classrooms in the clusters and the creative rooms receive additional daylight through skylight shed glazing from two sides. all classrooms have direct access to covered outdoor spaces, with interior and exterior benches along the glass façades connected via sliding elements to form large lounging and play areas, ensuring a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

outdoor spaces
for students’ well-being, frequent transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces are important. outdoor lessons can take place immediately adjacent to classrooms and learning landscapes.
a key part of the spatial concept is extending learning areas directly to outdoor spaces such as terraces, seating steps, open classrooms, and balconies. during warm seasons, the aula, library, dining area, after-school care, and creative rooms can open onto covered outdoor spaces, enabling dining, relaxation, and outdoor studio activities. the various spatial situations offer a diverse range of uses for different groups and individuals.

structural concept
to ensure maximum flexibility of use within the building, load-bearing wall panels are only employed to the extent required for horizontal stabilization. the primary structural elements are reinforced concrete columns and slabs, largely arranged in an economical grid. above the gym, two steel hang structures are applied for every two axes.

material concept
material selection emphasizes ecological impact and co₂ emissions from production, transport, and deconstruction. all classrooms have wooden floors to enhance the space as a seating or play area. other rooms receive appropriate surface finishes depending on requirements. ventilated façades are clad in wood, with windows constructed as wood-aluminum units. transparent surfaces are equipped with effective exterior sun protection. overhanging roofs or balconies provide sun shading, protect façades from weather and dirt, and facilitate cleaning and maintenance. trees in front of the façades contribute additional shading.

fire safety and escape routes
the entire structural system is reinforced concrete. the terraced building allows escape routes on every floor directly to terraces or adjacent grounds. from every point in the building, the exterior can be reached within less than 40 m, with at least two directions available. terraces are connected via a bridge in the northwest corner to public areas. therefore, no dedicated escape stairwell is required.

energy concept
the energy strategy relies on passive optimization, including avoiding suspended ceilings to utilize available thermal mass (concrete slabs and walls). acoustic elements are designed to activate the thermal mass. at night, skylights can automatically open when external temperatures allow, enabling cross-ventilation. warm indoor air is expelled, cooler outside air is drawn in, and thermal mass is cooled, preconditioning rooms for the next day. balconies, roof overhangs, or cantilevered building elements provide glare-free lighting, prevent summer overheating, and allow protected natural ventilation. additionally, the forest to the southwest provides highly effective shading. roof green spaces with a thick humus layer absorb and delay energy input, contributing to additional thermal stabilization. evaporation of soil moisture produces a cooling effect through latent heat release.