Weyell Zipse has designed the Primary School Guggach in Zurich, Switzerland.

The heart of the Guggach Primary School in Zurich is its foyer – an intermediate climate zone that adapts to the changing seasons. Open in summer and enclosed in winter, its climate is regulated through manually operated sliding doors.

The foyer extends invitingly into the neighbourhood park, resembling a grand stage. Here, children begin their week by singing together on Monday mornings, learning in open-air classrooms, and enjoying their breaks outdoors.

"The brief was about a primary school with a double gym, library and cafeteria," said Weyell Zipse. "Neither the atrium foyer nor the outdoor classrooms were included in the spatial program or budget."

As a result, savings had to be made in the rest of the building. Since the foyer is located outside the thermal envelope, it could be built cost-effectively.

This project has been longlisted in the education project category of Dezeen Awards 2025.

Studio: Weyell Zipse
Project: Primary School Guggach