Ziehenschule (Grammar School) -extension
Germany, Frankfurt am Main
Hochbauamt der Stadt Frankfurt am Main
The design goal of the first phase of the extension was to connect the new The school also possesses a continuous steel balcony as a secondary fire
building to existing green spaces. This idea was developed into the principle escape, covered with climbing plants. This vegetation contributes to the
of the ‘Green Building’. The demolition of the old wooden buildings has created overall energy concept: in summer, the leaves provide an effective sunscreen
space to rearrange landscaping entirely and connect the heterogeneous and cool the building. In winter, solar radiation enters the windows directly,
building structures in a meaningful way to the adjoining paths and greens. being then converted into usable heat.
The extension contains 11 new classrooms, an teaching resource room, a The pupils enter the building from the south. From the atrium they can
multi-functional dining room, a kitchen with ancillary rooms, sanitary facilities go directly into the multi-functional dining room, or take the stairs to the
and plant rooms. The design proposes a three-storey main building, with classrooms on the upper floors. The atrium is fully enclosed and receives
classrooms on the upper floors, and a one-storey building for the cafeteria, daylight through a vertically glazed skylight. It is generously sized to provide
which is integrated with the main building. areas for additional uses.
The school will be built, in accordance with City Council policy, to ‘passive Besides a lower-level seating area on the ground floor, the first floor too
house’ standard. To reduce energy costs, the classrooms face East, South offers an area for teaching groups outside the classroom. The two covered
or West. It is here that the largest energy gains occur in spring, autumn and courtyards and the windows on the inner side of the classrooms permit views
winter. To minimise heat loss, the north facade is almost entirely without that link all of the rooms.
openings, apart from the necessary exits.
Owner Dezernat Bildung und Frauen - Stadtschulamt
Project management Dezernat Planen, Bauen, Wohnen und Grundbesitz
- Hochbauamt
Architect Marcus Schmitt Architekten BDA, Frankfurt
Construction time 10/2009 - 08/2011
Total Cost of Construction 8.750.000,- €
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