Learning Meets Living
A high school with a sports hall on Kolmstraße in Leipzig
A versatile school campus that brings together architecture, nature, and the city: Our project creates inspiring learning spaces and dynamic meeting places for pupils and the entire neighborhood.
Inspiring architecture with added value
The Building Management Department of the City of Leipzig plans to increase school capacity by building a new high school with a sports hall. The objective of our design is to create an inspiring learning environment that enrichens the day-to-day life of the school and offers meeting spaces. The architecture underpins the development of the pupils as well as offering added value to the neighborhood outside school hours.
In harmony with the surroundings
In our concept, the school assumes a central urban planning role by subtly shaping the interface between the urban realm and the natural landscape. The edges of the buildings along Kolmstraße loosen up the urban space while creating a protected playground with a view of the “magic garden.” The angled form of the sports hall produces an inviting forecourt.
The architectural design promotes the integration of the green infrastructure into the project: The pupils are greeted by generous areas of greenery upon entering the school. The multifunctional playground offers a range of options for activities and chilling out. The result is a dynamic space that harmoniously combines nature and education.
Alexander Montero
Architect, Head of Design in Hamburg
Comfort – inside and outside
The building’s color concept and careful choice of materials generate a friendly and respectful atmosphere: The facade features alternating prefabricated concrete elements that mark the stories and brighter wooden elements. This clearly structures the building while reducing the sense of scale. The interior is dominated by a feeling of warmth: The timber of the walls and stairs establishes a comfortable mood. Light-colored concrete ceilings emphasize the brightness of the internal spaces.
Sustainability through teaching
The hybrid timber construction enabled gray energy emissions to be reduced in comparison with a more conventional building method. A cantilevered canopy and external solar protection prevent the interiors from overheating. The glass roof of the central school hall, which can be opened to permit night-time cooling, plays a key role in the interior climate. A similar principle is used in the sports hall, where the skylights can also be opened. Photovoltaic plant on the roof of the sports hall generates solar electricity, reducing the operating cost of the building.
