中学丨奥地利丨Janser Castorina Katzenberger

Architects:Janser Castorina Katzenberger

Year:2024

Photographs:Federico Cairoli

Category:Houses

City:Graz

Country:Austria

Urban planning. A secondary school for 1000 pupils was to be founded and built for the newly developed Reininghaus district. The 4-storey development of the AHS Reininghaus extends in an L-shape along the streets Am Steinfeld and Margarethe-SchütteLihotzky-Straße and forms the noise-protecting, north-eastern end of Quartier 12. The central stepping towards the south-west fragments the compact, L-shaped building mass, creating a striking sequence of terrace incisions.

The green schoolyard is located in the front. Enclosed by the school building, it works as a sheltered, semi-public place to meet and linger. It is connected to the neighboring elementary school and offers the possibility of intersecting the public space across schools.

Assembly hall - Schoolyard. The transparent multifunctional rooms - assembly hall, dining hall, and multi-purpose hall - are positioned around the schoolyard. The two-storey reception hall is framed to the east by a wide staircase with a view of the schoolyard, which can be used as a grandstand. In everyday school life, the ground floor offers ample space for breaks, temporary exhibitions, and inter-class lessons. The space can also be flexibly combined for events.

Ribbon and Core. The guiding principle of the project is the interplay of two layers: The ribbon contains classrooms arranged in a compact band with an outward orientation. The core in the center of the building creates a magical and inspiring learning environment and promotes the experience of community. A flowing spatial network of learning islands, multipurpose corridors, and terrace gardens, flooded with light and with multi-layered views, is created. The incised, green terraces and the schoolyard remain perceptible at all times and support orientation.

Access. The access system, which is as short and clear as possible, consists of two cores that connect all clusters and departments without passing through other functional areas. Therefore, all rooms are accessible without barriers. In addition, the central staircase leads directly to the administration area on the first floor. There are three gymnasiums in the basement, which have a view of the auditórium through wide interior glazing. The second entrance allows external use of the gymnasium as well as direct access to the communal sports field.

Landscape and Facade. The schoolyard with a loose grove of trees offers a central open area as well as shady areas with seating. The terraced gardens are covered in climbing plants, which in a fully grown state will serve as sun protection and counteract overheating. Over the course of the year, they create different impressions (blossoms, fragrance, autumn colors of the leaves). An external staircase connects the entire terrace and roof landscape. Here you will find various green and shaded recreational areas that can be used as outdoor classrooms.

The roof impresses with fun courts, a running track, and a boulder wall. The façade design extends the idea of greening the building and gives the school a friendly face in a still fallow environment. The gradations in the color scheme break up the building towards the top.

Identity. The interior design and the murals are part of a color-coordinated overall concept that structures individual areas under a graphic and textual guidance system. Wooden surfaces and warm colors enhance the pleasant and inspiring room atmosphere. The architecture supports the  "AHS Reininghaus - Fostering a new generation of creative thinkers".

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