When a child draws a house, the sketch typically depicts a slanted roof, windows with mutins, and a door for entrance. The preexistent schoolhouse Schwärze mimics this picture, surrounding it by a garden for playing.
Following a competition, three equivalent kindergarten classrooms were added to the 1987 primary school building. By implementing a central lift, setting the atrium with a new roof light, and linking two classrooms by means of a cloakroom, new spatial qualities could be created for the preschool rooms. The staircase, together with its freshly-opened lightwell, acts as a link with the exterior. Moreover, in the new space programming the lift is integrated in the dormer roof and becomes a space-generating component. The basic features and principles of the robust materialization from the 1980s were absorbed and incorporated into a contemporary design concept. Adhering to the spirit of circularity, numerous previously existing components were embraced by the new project.
The new floor plans are based on a preexisting three-story school building typology. With the devising of a cloakroom and the spatial combination of two classrooms, simply structured kindergarten classrooms are organized on each floor. The attic further offers an assembly hall and a separable room for lunch. The light entering from windows all-round the building makes it possible for children to experience the course of daylight and allows an unobstructed view of the surroundings. In the newly designed outdoors, different zones are created for each kindergarten class. The pavilion, equally planned by the architects, offers shade and an invitation to sit and play.
Warm colors and doors made of light-toned spruce wood complement the formerly set natural granite floor present in the toilets and stairwell. The preexisting dark-lacquered wooden surfaces and the solid oak floors in the classrooms, both typical of the period, were renewed. In addition, the new cloakroom areas made of light-toned spruce wood serve as a means of identification for the children by providing a color code using natural rubber floors in different shades per story level. Large cabinets with usable surfaces suitable for painting, or for serving as pin boards, complement the preexisting red linoleum countertop.
Due to a careful intervention in the preexisting double brick wall, it was possible to keep and incorporate the wood and metal windows along with the external Venetian blinds. A small landscape adjustment was made to connect the new facade extension of the lower kindergarten classroom with the outdoor space. This too abides by the idea of thoughtfully using the resources already available on site. All roof areas and basement ceilings underwent renovation to improve their energy efficiency and were supplemented with a photovoltaic system: the preexisting roof tiles were reused and the electrical installations automated and provided with a system to control both the blinds and the lights.
Material Used :
1. Facade cladding: preexistent
2. Flooring: Natural robber flooring, Typ noraplan uni,nora flooring systems ag I CH-8703 Erlenbach
3. Door handle: chrome-plated steel, Typ 03-32250 OGL, Glutz AG I CH-4500 Solothurn
4. Windows: preexistent
5. Roofing: preexistent
6. Interior lighting: Ceiling lamp, Typ AVOLA, Fluora Leuchten AG I CH-9230 Flawil
7. Interior furniture: Wood and Steel, Dauphin_Fiore FI7530, Dauphin I Germany
8. Washbasin: Ceramic, Typ Laufen Pro S, Keramik Laufen AG I CH-4242 Laufen
9. Wall tile: Ceramic, TypGlobel Collections, Royal Mosa I Maastricht 6224
10. Pin Wall: Linoleum, TypBulletin Board, Forbo Floring Systems I 6515 Giubiasca
11. Kitchen appliances: Metall I V-Zug AG I 6302 Zug
