Centre for Education and Childcare Oberwart

The cluster as starting point.

Four playfully positioned building blocks rest on a transparent base and thus relate to the small-scale structures in the surrounding area. The primary schools follows the course of the street with a slight offset of the cluster building blocks, while the upper floor of the music school is set back towards the courtyard. An angled position of the facade of the music school on the ground floor creates a differentiated, exciting outdoor space (inner courtyard) with facades that communicate strongly with each other. (Primary school, music school, gymnasium-air space).
The proportional organisation of the two upper floors is provided by the cluster itself as the lowest common denominator. This conveys the function behind it through the design of the building.

Typology: elementary school.

The primary school cluster is formed from the typology of the central marketplace and the windmill-like arrangement of the classrooms. A subtle offset spatially suggests a playfulness in the floor plan.

Elevation

Elevation

Section

Smart use of materials for more sustainability.

In terms of both the economy and ecology of a building, we pursue the path of maximum sustainability wherever possible. A building becomes sustainable not only by using renewable resources, but also by using the “right” materials. For reasons of sound insulation, building physics and structural planning, the choice of a pure timber construction is preferable to a concrete hybrid construction. To avoid excessive beam heights and thus a rather high building volume, we suggest in-situ concrete slabs on a column grid. A tectonic load transfer also enables an economical construction of the supporting structure. The non-load-bearing/self-supporting components are mainly built in timber construction. Clay plasters in the interior emphasise certain walls, provide a good indoor climate and have a sound-absorbing effect. The use of recycled concrete is proposed for the concrete components. Light façade colours (natural wood), a minimum of sealed surfaces and green roofs, as well as lush greenery in the outdoor areas will help prevent the urban areas from overheating in summer, and evaporation will create a pleasant microclimate.