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Architects: Franz Architekten
- Area: 9650 m²
one (school) for all
Central and still removed fromthe heavy traffic of the federal highway one can find the most important public institutions of Deutsch-Wagram lined up along a footpath: city administration, kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. In order to enable school education up to university entrance qualification, the municipal council decided then erection of an upper secondary school with focuson natural sciences and mathematics (“Real gymnasium”). At the same time, the existing secondary school (“Hauptschule”) needed to be expanded. A common institution for both types of school promised to yield valuable synergies.
Spatial proximity to the other educational institutions seemed logical, but the available property with park and landscape pond was a valuable area used by kindergarten and elementary school during recess. More over, it was not without problems with regard to structural engineering for a large-volume building task. The ultimate aim was to preserve the pond’s accessibility and the recess area for all pupils as much as possible. The spatial programme therefore was divided up in to two separate structures: a long school block and a double sports hall. The school block’s latitude lies perpendicular to the footpath and at its projecting heading section forms a generous fore court with a prominent canopied entrance and an adjoining cloakroom and aula. The three- to four-storey structure adapt stothe terrain in its ground plan as well as in its cross-section, floating on a circum ferential glass strip in the green space. The sports hall is dug in as far as the high ground water level would allow, and thus stays in measure with the kindergarten and elementary school on the opposite side. To underline its discreteness, entrance for external sport usages and to the spectators’ gallery is gained via an external stairway in close vicinity to the parking lots in the street “auf der heide”. The underground connection to the school block keeps the access to the pond and from the cemeteryalley open for the public.
Distribution of functions with synergetic effects due to the combination of two types of secondary school, the wishes and requirements of different clients and users had to be united in one building. This was solved on the one hand by separating the main classrooms and administrative áreas (“Hauptschule” onthe 1st floor, “Gymnasium” onthe 2nd floor), and on the other hand by common utilisation of the general áreas (natural sciences on the ground floor, classrooms with creativefocusontheattractivelower floor onpond level). The shared building makes it possible to use classrooms which are not normally provided in there spective school type (e.g., han dicrafts for upper secondaryschool, chemistrylabfor regular secondary school). A shared library extending over three floors is the heart of the building. Sitting steps are an invitation to read, at the same time offering the possibility to hold smaller lectures and presentations. The area on these condfloor which had to allow for optional extension was realised in the shape of a generous roofter race. Deck platforms and sitting steps provide premium recesss pace in the immediate vicinity of the main classrooms and can also be used for open-air classes.
Façadeplay
In order to signalise the togetherness of school block and sports hall, a façade concept was developed that underlines the character of each of the two structures. The dug-in sports hall growsout of the ground with light bluea luminium panels, dissolving into white the higher it grows, while the floating school block takes up the slabunderside’s neutral white and bleed sout into light blue. 175 windows of thesamesize (1.80 x 1.80m) react flexibly to the different interior spaces like main classes, library or recess areas. Every class gets one window with a deep niche in sittingheight as a small local recesszone. The sport shall is equipped with the same square windows, enabling visual contact from outside forpassers-by as well as a connection with the adjacent pond for spectator son the gallery.
Economy and ecology
A prerequisite for high economic efficiency and low energy consumption was the development of a very compact structure. The 100 meter long middlea is leflares conically at it sknee according to movement flows, onthe western side opens up towards the pond over two-storey recess areas, and in addition receives natural day light from four equal stair ways on the eastern side. The sum of compact structure, highly insulated thermic building envelope and a ventilation system with efficient waste heatre covery results in an extra ordinarily energy efficient building with passive house qualities. Energy generation by means of ground water heat pumps and a photovoltaic system, as well as rain water see page on its own property contribute to an overall ecological concept.
