Horst clearly separates the learning areas from the public functions. All classrooms are arranged as clusters on the first floor, forming a small village structure that offers pupils places both to retreat and to interact. The ground floor holds all public rooms, such as the library and the school kitchen, which are accessible to the whole community. On the ground floor the building appears inviting and open to the public through transparent elements, while on the upper floor a timber façade and a playful volume give it a sense of intimacy and security. The school is designed as a flexible cluster school that meets pupils' individual needs. On the upper floor there are outdoor classrooms linked to each cluster, with stairs leading directly down to the ground floor and the playground. To allow undisturbed learning, the classrooms are oriented not towards the sports ground or forecourt but towards the quiet break areas at the sides of the building.
Functional aspects
Besides the public functions – library, dining room, multi-purpose room and assembly hall, which are also spatially linked to the gym via a seating landscape and a gallery – the teachers' rooms are also on the ground floor, set back a little. The basement, which also has its own external stair for outside use, contains the gym together with its changing rooms and plant rooms. The clusters on the upper floor are separated by year group and are located at the corners of the building. Each cluster can be reached separately from the shared centre, which together with the generous stand forms the heart of the building. Directly next to the central staircase is a group room that can be opened up and serve either as the centre or as an extension of the afternoon care. Thanks to the location of the classrooms, group rooms and market squares, different spatial combinations can be created, making it possible to supervise both small and large groups.
Economic and ecological aspects
A central part of the design is the use of sustainable materials and technologies. The retention roof is a particularly sustainable roof type, as it collects and stores rainwater instead of discharging it into the sewer system, helping to reduce flooding and supplying plants nearby. On the roof there is a PV system and a green roof, which minimises sealing and contributes to biodiversity and microclimate regulation. Using the school outside school hours – taken for granted in this design – contributes to sensible multiple use of resources. The basement and ground floor are built in reinforced concrete. The slab above the ground floor is designed as a Cobiax slab, which is light and uses little material over a large span. The upper floor is prefabricated timber construction, which not only shortens construction time but also contributes to planning and cost certainty. The paved paths are made of Terraway, a material that lets rainwater seep away, supporting the plants' water supply and reducing run-off into the sewer system.
Urban design aspects
The “Horst” middle school deliberately keeps its distance from the existing buildings in the village, creating plenty of light, air and space between the buildings, while still linking up with the surrounding open space. The sports ground is in the south of the site, and the playground is in front of and beside the building. The position of the building also allows potential future changes to the routes without affecting its functionality. Badgasse, which gives access to the building, is designed as a shared space. Its design and materials make it clear early on that the safety and wellbeing of the children are at the centre of the design. Overall, the urban design concept sees the school as part of Alland, fitting into its surroundings while having its own identity.
