Austrian architectural studio Bernardo Bader Architekten has completed a new primary school in Au, a town in the Bregenzerwald region of Vorarlberg, Austria. The school’s design and construction recalls the region’s traditional approach to building in wood.
Au has a valued history of craftsmanship. The “Auer Zunft” (Auer Guild), an association of Vorarlberg construction craftsmen, was established in 1651 and continued until 1842. Their work remains visible today in many Baroque church buildings in Central Europe. “When building the new school, I was interested in whether the Auer Zunft recipe for success with all its mastery still exists and how life in the village works today,” says Bernardo Bader. The new primary school is constructed primarily from wood and displays a high level of craftsmanship, thereby demonstrating the continuation of Au’s storied building tradition. The school’s fine wood structure complements the picturesque landscape.
The project is based on the idea of creating a school village in two phases: firstly, the primary school and secondly, a new gymnasium (to be realized at a later date). The two buildings extend the site of an already existing secondary school and kindergarten, forming a wider campus. The primary school and gymnasium are positioned on the western side of the secondary school, their location forming a protected central courtyard that can be used for play and outdoor learning.
The courtyard leads to the primary school’s entrance. A central ground-floor foyer is accessed via a covered north-facing anteroom and acts as a distribution point for the school’s varied amenities — a multipurpose room on this level can be connected to the foyer.
The basement houses workrooms and a cloakroom; this level also connects the primary school with the secondary school and gymnasium (visitors enter via the ground floor). An existing natural difference in the level of the site means the workrooms and cloakroom are naturally lit and have direct access to an adjacent playing field.
Core learning areas for the primary school’s two clusters are located on the building’s upper levels (1 and 2): each level contains three classrooms, two group rooms, a “language support room”, and “learning landscapes”, all of which benefit from natural light and pleasing views. The primary school’s organized layout across levels promotes inclusive use and flexibility.
“The clusters are characterized by a center that can be easily zoned and furnished as required, to which all classrooms have equal access,” explains Bernardo Bader Architekten. “Sliding walls allow the classrooms of a cluster to be opened up to the learning landscapes. Glass elements enable teachers to overlook the learning zones from the adjacent rooms and promote collaboration across grades.” Learning zones have access onto a covered outdoor area and the two upper floors benefit from a range of indoor and outdoor views.
The primary school’s structure consists of a timber frame construction on a solid base floor — the basement and two staircases are built using concrete. The ventilated facade is made of larch wood. Internally, the school’s considered materiality provides the basis for a sublime interplay between light and shadow.
Further Bernardo Bader Architekten projects in wood include a “children’s house in the park” and Haus Gapfohl.
