Description

The design sets out to create a strong statement about boundaries and walls, a fitting metaphor for this end- of-town site. Indeed the scheme comprises a sort of inhabited wall in the form of a long linear block of accommodation finished in sleek white render. The accommodation block breaks down into three connected elements, all of which are closely linked (and part of the wall metaphor) but at the same time articulated architecturally as separate buildings. It is a subtle balance between a strong coherent linearity and a more fragmented expression of three different functional zones, classrooms, sports hall and library media centre. An additional factor which informs the architecture is a steeply sloping site running from the southwestern edge down to the northeastern edge, a level change of approximately 7 metres. This topographical feature is accommodated within the long section of the building.

The main circulation spine along the street side starts at the top of the slope with a single-storey space; this in turn opens up to a two-storey space which finally descends into a three-storey volume, the entrance atrium. Two grand staircases function as staging points along this route, providing glimpses in one direction into the classrooms or out into the surrounding landscape. Thus the overall form of the building does not drop down with the change in levels, rather a constant roof line is maintained across the slope, with the landscape stepping down against the white walls of the street façade. This creates an impression of solidity, the building has an almost monumental quality within the barren landscape.

The regular façade rhythm is reinforced by a very limited palette of materials and colours, with two shades of white and the grey and yellow of the sloping external ground floor plain creating a crisply detailed modernist composition. The organisation of this building has a rational dimension which is characterised by the use of light and orientation; for example, to the southeast, the block which contains the main teaching spaces, with classrooms (and WCs) opening up beyond the site with distinctive horizontal window openings on the main façade each with an external solar control device. To the northwest, the spaces for administration, teachers’ offices, seminar rooms, meeting rooms, storage and technical rooms all have limited views with small windows onto mini landscaped patios. At the lower end of the site where the head of the building is located, there are no windows with direct views out, rather a limited rooflight arrangement spreads a white even light down to the three-storey volume beneath. The library is positioned on the street side almost within the atrium; it borrows its light from the atrium by way of a translucent glazed curtain wall. Internally the architecture is less successful, with a slightly over-bearing clinical feel emphasised by the bland even lighting which makes it too cold and impersonal at times. Nevertheless the finishes are consistent and robust; consequently, one suspects this building will stand the test of time.

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Originally published in: Mark Dudek, Schools and Kindergartens: A Design Manual, Birkhäuser, 2015.