School Complex, Osterholz-Scharmbeck

Following the pedagogical principle ´support the people and set the record straight´ Osterholz-Scharmbeck adopts a new course at secondary school. Point of departure of the educational concept is the new development of a school complex including learning facilities, sport and leisure areas. The bidder consortium commissioned with the development of the school complex in Osterholz-Scharmbeck is formed by Stehnke Bauunternehmung GmbH, Züblin AG, kister scheithauer gross architects and urban planners GmbH (ksg), Feldschnieders + Kister and Horeis + Blatt Landschaftsarchitekten. The underlying pedagogical idea of liability and personal responsibility is also reflected in the design of ksg. The new campus with a total of 9.200 sqm gross floor area is the key piece of the urban redevelopment scheme: The ´Learning House at Campus´ forms the connection between the various school elements, the new canteen and the media centre. Together with the four storey high building wing at the street Am Barkhof the desired urban gateway is set.

Adapting the existing topography, varying about 10 meters in height, what is formed is a self-contained building volume with a consistent attic height.

A good room atmosphere helps young people in learning. This was an essential concept for the new construction of the building of the secondary school ‘Lernhaus im Campus’ (learning house in the Campus) in Osterholz-­‐Scharmbeck that was opened in July (?). Pupils are taught in so-­‐called learning environments.

The design of the rooms played a large role. GfG / Gruppe für Gestaltung (GfG) from Bremen developed an interior design and a guidance system that provide more fun to learn. Each floor in the ‘Lernhaus im Campus’ has its own colour and the adequate furniture. Corridors and stairwells with large wall graphics in fresh colours encourage to have meetings, hold speeches and have general exchange. Specially developed icons provide an easy orientation for pupils. GfG project manager Ulrike Rosemeier explains: “We are convinced that a good room climate improves the learning environment. It is important that interior design and graphics are well-­‐coordinated and how the puzzle pieces fit together.” The interior design has its origin in the school logo. Based on this, GfG developed some kind of construction kit as orientation for furniture, guidance system and graphics.

Covering a total area of 9320 square meters, the rooms were equipped and designed in a way to provide a healthy learning atmosphere that fosters communication. From the beginning, the clients and the responsible persons could help shape – the headmaster as well as the employees of the town hall and the janitor. “’We will pretty up the building for you’, that is not our attitude. It is important that the result will be accepted by everyone,” project manager Rosemeier said. “And that can only happen if the occupants are on board from the very beginning.” The GfG organized network meetings to involve all stakeholders in the planning process. Overall, the redesign of the learning house from the first idea until the opening lasted from month to month.

The ‘Lernhaus im Campus’ offers six learning landscapes on four levels. On each level 80 young people have their own workplace. Thus, the school follows the latest pedagogical insights. Independent learning with fun should be made possible here. This will be supported by the consistent interior design and the guidance system (corporate signage) of the GfG.