Elementary School and Gymnasium, Hessental
Competition, 2025
with Mettler Landschaftsarchitektur AG (Landscape Architecture)
The design for the new Hessental elementary school with a double sports hall is based on a sustainable, functional and aesthetic concept that blends harmoniously into the natural environment along the Pflaumenbach stream. The school and sports hall are positioned as compact structures on the edges of an existing green corridor, thus preserving the cold air corridor and the landscape. A pergola connects both buildings, serves as a bicycle shelter and creates a clear address towards the quiet street “An den Wasenwiesen”.
The school open spaces are landscaped and merge seamlessly into the green space. Water-permeable surfaces, a natural playground, extensive green roofs and rainwater harvesting support the ecological focus. Large-crowned trees, seating areas and natural play zones offer a high quality of stay.
The school building is designed as a three-storey timber construction with a spacious, open foyer. The cluster school offers flexible learning areas around an atrium, while the classrooms open out onto balconies that provide sun protection and a connection to nature. The gymnasium, also planned as a timber construction, uses large-format windows and a green pitched roof. Its organization allows barrier-free access to the stands and changing rooms, with a bright, two-storey corridor under the stands.
Energy efficiency and “low-tech” solutions characterize the building concept: compact construction, good news/vol ratios, underfloor heating, simple ventilation systems, district heating and a large photovoltaic area with a self-sufficient power supply. The exterior walls are clad with straw insulation, lime plaster and solar panels. Overall, the result is a sustainable, user-friendly educational facility with a strong connection to the landscape.
GFA: 8.763 m2
Team: Sophia Grabow (Modersohn & Freiesleben), Anastasiia Puzeikina (Mettler Landschaftsarchitektur)
Collaborators: Prof. Andreas Winkels (Technical Equipment), Niehues Winkler Ingenieure (Structural Design), Mandy Walther (Fire Safety)
Model Build: Monath & Menzel