BSBZ – Landwirtschaftsschulen Vorarlberg, Hohenems

Although the school building is accessible via the common entrance, the traffic flows are shared immediately thereafter. Going straight on from the entrance, the path leads directly past the central cloakroom and past the courtyard, to the main staircase. Similar to the existing building, the staircase connects the processing and workshop areas in the basement with the overlying learning landscapes. From the central stairwell one arrives directly in the symmetrically arranged common areas. This valuable teaching zone was also planned for this area.

The new teaching area will be integrated directly into the existing structure via the two development additions. This double route allows for ease of access to all class sections, while at the same time allowing for a second escape route without an additional staircase.

The dining and common room, which is open to all students, is also located along this access door, in the centre of the school. These common areas are preceded by terraces and balconies, which also serve as constructive sun and weather protection to the southwest. The integration and extension of the existing terrace into the courtyard also opens up further possibilities for school operation. On the one hand as a possible platform for the envisaged outdoor classes, on the other hand as a necessary space for social exchange in the breaks. In the courtyard, a lively atmosphere can develop, which is enriched by a natural garden in the basement.

In order to ensure accessibility for the entire school building, an additional lift will be installed on the ground floor of the existing building.

Due to multiple extensions and changes to all the various buildings of the school, a cohesive facade design language was sort after. This would then create a sense of a quality learning environemnt, while also demonstrating an expression of the functional logic, and the high demands on ecology and sustainability. While the massive basement storey predominantly accommodates workrooms with higher fire protection requirements, the classroom floors are again designed in solid timber with a stacked board construction. However, the load-bearing central axis will be trimmed in the new building, with ceiling-level girders and steel columns in order to make the learning landscapes as open and flexible as possible. Additional acoustic measures are provided via the walls and furniture.

While the facade colour expresses the school to the outside, the three classrooms inside are deliberately differentiated in colour and independent from each other. In addition to the natural timber surfaces the inside will have bright flooring with coloured accents provided by the furniture. The facade paint on the timber slats has been proven over the past ten years as a direct comparison with a renovated plaster surface.

A new design element on the facade is the areas with vertical slats. Through this filter, both the inner development and community zones in the outer areas can be recognised, as well as the transition areas between the different stages of construction.

The classrooms and the adjacent common area are only zoned by furniture installations. Through the continuous skylights, the rooms look open, bright and spacious. Open doors can be hidden in the deep furniture, and glazed seating niches also promote transparency and communication, while at the same time guaranteeing sound insulation. Functional requirements such as sinks, storage space or even working bunkers are all integrated into the furniture, leaving enough room for flexible furniture and creative uses.