New school building promotes communication and openness

A fun place for primary school pupils to learn: the new building of the Ludwig Weber School in Frankfurt’s Sindelfingen district (founded in 1973), which was designed by Behnish, the Stuttgart architects, successfully combines a spacious interior with an exterior that does not appear outsized.

Apart from the distinctive design of the upper two floors, which rise in terraces above the ground floor, the new primary school building features an eye-catching wood-aluminium facade which is both attractive and inviting thanks to floor-to-ceiling window and large wooden elements. Moreover, the ensemble fits perfectly into its surroundings.

With a floor space of about 4,000 square metres, there is ample room for the approximately 200 students and their teachers to move around in the free-form, open school landscape, which stimulates open communication while also being easy to navigate.

The main entrance leads directly into the heart of the building. From the foyer, which is flooded with daylight through a large, round skylight, two interlocking staircases lead to the two upper floors, likewise airy and light-filled, each with four classrooms and group rooms. All rooms have access to the surrounding terraces, which serve as escape routes and recreational spaces. 

The library and the IT department are located at the centre, close to the staircases. From the school office and administrative rooms located on the first floor, teachers are also able to keep an eye on the entrance hall and the playground. On the second floor, there is a spacious terrace, which is used as a ‘green classroom’.

As a special feature of the new school building, the single-field sports hall, which is integrated into the building and flooded with natural light thanks to its large windows, can now be accessed directly from the foyer. The ground floor also houses the canteen with a fully equipped kitchen. This area opens onto the 4000 square metre playground, which offers plenty of space to romp, and play as well as sufficient room for retreating.

To satisfy the highest demands for optimal acoustics in the sports facilities and classrooms, Troldtekt acoustic panels were installed in the new school building. The acoustic panels are made of the natural material wood and cement and are thus not just highly effective in terms of sound absorption but also contributes to a more sustainable building. At the same time, the wood wool panels create a healthy indoor climate, provide effective fire protection, and fit the structure and design of the space perfectly.