Innsbruck architect Daniel Fügenschuh has completed a concrete and glass extension to a school at a former monastery in Rattenberg, Tyrol.
The three-storey-high rectangular block provides new classrooms that can also be used for after-school activities, as well as a school dining room.
A large copper-framed window is the only embellishment to the street facade and frames a view out from the front of the dining room, while angled skylights bring natural light into classrooms on the top floor.
A glazed lobby connects the extension to the existing building and a first floor mezzanine provides a viewing platform into the adjacent gym block.
We've got a few interesting schools in the Dezeen archive - see them all here, including one outside Paris with walls, ceilings and details picked out in bright orange.
Photography is by Christian Flatscher.
Here's a little more explanation from Büro Fügenschuh:
Architekt Daniel Fügenschuh ZT GmbH
Hauptschule Rattenberg
A 15th century monastery in Rattenberg, Tyrol was first transformed to a secondary school with a new gym extension in the early 1970ies.
To meet today’s social needs and pedagogic standards a new school extension became necessary so pupils can stay after school and get lunch.
Open plan zones will free up space to allow for alternative teaching methods.
With a modern approach of protecting architectural heritage the building opens up to the historic centre re-defining the importance of the school in the urban context of Rattenberg.
Site: Rattenberg, Österreich
Architect: Daniel Fügenschuh
Competition: 1. Platz
Client: Rattenberger Immobilien GmbH
Mechanical engineer: TAP
Structural engineer: INGENA
Completion: 2011
Floor space: 250 m²
exterior is beautiful, but that interior shot of the classroom looks dreadful and sad :(
Anyone else think that the lime green was one 'trendy' move too far. Otherwise I love its restrained Chipperfield aesthetic which seems to relate to the existing context very well.
Almost brutalist on the outside, which looks stunning in its sharp, clean lines. But inside, there needs to be a little more warmth! It looks terrifying from the perspective of a student.
With a rethink of the shade of green, the interiors would be terrific. I hope the students realize how lucky they are. Yes, the exterior is jarring in its context, and maybe a little more thought to being a good neighbor would have paid dividends.
contrary to edward's opinion, the photos, plans + section exhibit a thoroughly resolved design that holds respect for its context as a priority: look past the colours of the older façades; the proportions, materiality, solidity + void, texture, massing, primary elements (such as porch), spacing in plan, roof gestures in section,… are spot on. despite the design being very well contextualised it has its own dynamic character, it adds something contemporary, + doesn't fall into the trap of doing a neo…thing.
i think its a great project.
although, personally, i would have suggested another color for the interior too!