algersdorf education campus

urban design concept
intergenerational learning is one of the pillars of the new pedagogy. the new algersdorf education campus is characterized by the coexistence of the new secondary school in the existing building and the newly constructed parts for the primary school, two gyms, and a full-day care area. the full-day area and the two gyms are used jointly by the new secondary school and the primary school and are also intended to be accessible to the childcare facility located to the north. the necessity of shared use of different areas was the starting point for this concept. urbanistically, the existing building is a clearly structured, three-story structure with three main facades and a rear facade facing west. the new building structure is integrated with this rear facade to create spatial connections across three floors between the existing and new buildings. this spatial connection is a prerequisite for optimal use of the shared areas by both the primary and secondary schools. the three main facades of the existing building remain completely free, and a large schoolyard is created to the south as a forecourt for the new entrance, through which all building parts can be accessed.

architectural concept
the new indoor campus is a two-story central atrium, a space for all kinds of events and a meeting point for all students. it invites sitting and observing, serves as a space for relaxation, play, and learning, and enables clear orientation and optimal access to all areas within the building. the indoor campus is designed to support the spirit of the school: openness, clarity, legibility, connectivity, generosity, and light-filled friendliness. directly adjoining the atrium are the areas for full-day care, centrally located and easily accessible for both the primary and the new secondary school. all four clusters of the primary school are located on the first floor. each cluster consists of four classrooms connected to two group rooms, a teachers’ workspace, the open learning zone, and a small restroom unit. large roof sheds above the open learning zone extend the vertical space and additionally provide optimal, glare-free daylighting. sliding walls allow classrooms within a cluster to open fluidly to the learning zones, and glass elements allow teachers to oversee the learning zones from adjacent rooms. small courtyards are created between the clusters, giving all classrooms direct access to the outdoors. these become covered outdoor classrooms with direct access to the outdoor sports facilities. part of the spatial concept is the extension of classroom areas with a directly adjacent outdoor space. the fourth cluster can be added later above the new secondary school gym without disrupting ongoing operations. the two gyms are located immediately next to each other and open generously via a sloped arena toward the future outdoor sports areas to the west. the optimal connection between the indoor campus and the existing building is achieved by demolishing the existing staircases and installing a new stairwell with a single elevator for the entire education campus, connecting the different levels of old and new.

access
with the new primary school and the two gyms, the algersdorf education campus gains a completely new circulation system. the former main entrance to the existing building is no longer used by students due to lack of space, as the street is too close and does not allow for a sufficient entrance area. based on this, a new shared entrance for all students is created to the south of the existing building, accompanied by a large schoolyard. the functional requirement that large parts of the campus are used by all educational institutions, creating synergies, requires spatial integration of new and existing buildings. this is achieved through the described conceptual approach. entrance, atrium, full-day area, gyms, and locker rooms are centrally located and easily reachable from all educational units without having to go outside in cold weather.

outdoor space
the extensive integration of the building with the natural environment is a central principle of the outdoor design, as is the ability to provide direct outdoor access from a large portion of the classrooms. diverse courtyards and terraces on three levels are connected via stairs, sunken arena-like forums, or hills built up with excavated material. the existing hill with seating steps is extended southward and, together with additional hills and the new building, forms an outdoor forum. the long, sloped hill also provides a connection to the first-floor clusters. for students’ health, it is important to move frequently between indoor and outdoor spaces. outdoor lessons, protected from sun and rain, can take place immediately adjacent to classrooms. for large school events, the gyms can be opened to the outdoor arena. the new schoolyard functions as a shared space where pedestrians, cyclists, and delivery traffic coexist equally.

energy concept
to allow high flexibility inside the buildings, load-bearing walls are only used to the extent necessary for horizontal building stabilization. the load-bearing elements are reinforced concrete columns and slabs, partially with reinforced concrete beams. the top slabs are mostly prefabricated cross-laminated timber elements with acoustic milling on the underside. this allows a high degree of prefabrication and rapid construction. the gyms are spanned by 1.25-meter-high prestressed reinforced concrete beams, on which the clusters are placed. special attention is given to the choice of building materials, considering ecological footprint, co2 emissions from production, transport, and eventual deconstruction.