center for education and childcare oberwart

urban concept
the new location for the primary school, music school, and kindergarten is situated close to the european secondary school. together with the existing bafep building, a center for education and childcare in oberwart is established. public transport connections are already available and sufficient outdoor spaces exist. in the first construction phase, the axis of the european secondary school is continued. the layout of the music and primary school buildings is organized so that a generous school square is created towards schulstraße, while the area facing the sports field accommodates car parking, kiss-and-ride zones, and delivery and utility access.

architectural concept
the new center features a shared main entrance for the primary school, music school, and music association, which opens into a multi-story atrium serving as a central orientation, circulation, and meeting space. the building is organized in an h-shaped structure with four finger-like wings. three wings accommodate the primary school learning clusters, while one wing houses the music school and music association. the ground floor functions as a continuous spatial sequence for all learning clusters, after-school care, music school, and music association. spaces such as the auditorium, multipurpose room, dining hall, gym, library, and creative rooms are flexible and can also be used by external users. the upper floors follow the same finger organization, with three wings for primary school learning clusters, one wing for music school and music association, and one unbuilt wing on the second floor reserved for future expansion. nearly all rooms have direct access to outdoor spaces, balconies, and covered outdoor classrooms, allowing for permeability, flexibility, and varied pedagogical uses, including pandemic-adapted arrangements.

kindergarten
the kindergarten is organized in an l-shaped layout, with all ten group rooms facing a protected outdoor area. the single-story design allows direct access from each group room to outdoor spaces and covered verandas. winter gardens act as climate buffers and provide additional space during transitional seasons, while sloped roof sheds increase spatial volume and allow daylight from two directions.

outdoor spaces
outdoor spaces are generously integrated on all levels through courtyards, balconies, and terraces. existing trees along schulstraße and the sports field are preserved, with the tree row along the sports field doubled and extended towards the future kindergarten. permeable paving and shading trees are incorporated as climate-adaptive measures. differentiated outdoor zones, including reading and music gardens, biotopes, sports areas, and kindergarten play spaces, provide diverse learning and recreational opportunities. a high soil mound above the gym allows the creation of additional shaded outdoor learning and activity spaces.

construction / materiality
the building’s structural system is a reinforced concrete skeleton with a 7.75 × 7.75 meter grid, while the gyms, measuring 27 × 30 meters, are spanned by 1-meter-high cassette beams in a subgrid of approximately 3.37 × 3.75 meters. load-bearing walls are minimized and used only where necessary for lateral stability. the second floor can be constructed in timber lightweight construction, offering ecological advantages and flexible possibilities for future expansion. material selection prioritizes ecological footprint, co₂ emissions, and ease of dismantling. the basement is designed as a waterproof shell, with foundations on competent gravel layers, using block or pile foundations as required.

fire safety and escape routes
fire safety measures comply with applicable oib guidelines. the building is classified as class 4, with maximum escape distances of 40 meters and at least two structural escape routes. fire compartments are generally organized per floor, while the auditorium and gym are open-plan with technical fire protection measures. technical installations include an automatic fire alarm system, smoke extraction for gallery levels, fire doors with ei2 30-c ratings for high-risk areas, and small fire compartments within learning clusters. sufficient firefighting equipment is provided on all floors to ensure safety.

energy concept
the energy concept relies on passive optimization, using the building’s thermal mass through exposed ceilings and walls. balconies, roof overhangs, and cantilevered elements provide shading and reduce summer heat gain. external sun protection and green roofs enhance thermal stability. heating is provided via district heating, with optional cooling and heating through geothermal probes or groundwater. photovoltaic panels are installed on the sloped roof sheds to support renewable energy generation.