Cura Architekten has redesigned and transformed the School Davos by extending the existing building in timber construction in Davos, Switzerland.

The school in Davos has converted its operations to a daycare structure and therefore requires additional space for an assembly hall, cafeteria, administration and extra classrooms.

Instead of demolishing the existing building, an integrative solution with the old structure was found to preserve the embodied energy stored in it and reduce the ecological footprint by conserving resources.

Therefore, a timber structure is placed over the existing building and completely encloses it with a new shell, which both meets the thermal requirements and pursues a new aesthetic standard.

From the outside, this hybrid appears to be a new building, while 40% of its volume consists of the old structure.

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

Studio: Cura Architekten
Project: Transformation of School Davos
Credits: Conzett Bronzini Partner, Baulink and Kuster & Partner