Study School & Multi-purpose hall, Arnegg (CH)

The existing school building from 1870 no longer meets today’s requirements – neither in terms of energy, construction nor pedagogy. The municipality therefore commissioned a study for a new building.

The concept – two buildings, two places
We designed the school and the multi-purpose hall as two rectangular, compact buildings made of wood. They are offset from each other and linked by a connecting building on level 0 (courtyard level) and a roof on level 1 (square level). The buildings are set back from the street to form a generous forecourt. We set the three-storey school building into the slope so that only two storeys are visible from the street. The two-storey multi-purpose hall also looks like only one storey from the square. A slender roof made of exposed concrete connects the school and the multi-purpose hall. It forms a sheltered schoolyard that can also be used for events in the future.

The organisation – flexible, functional, compact
Simple orientation, clear organisation, functional processes and maximum flexibility were the main priorities in the development of the floor plans. At courtyard level are the special functions such as the lunchtime supervision and the kindergarten. The two upper floors house the teachers’ areas, classrooms and workshops. Thanks to an external access, the library can also be used outside school hours. The partition walls towards the central zone contain cloakrooms, seating niches, shelves as storage space for the classrooms or group rooms. Easy orientation, wide views and visual connections to the other floors make this central space a pleasant meeting zone, break room and learning area.

The multi-purpose hall – village hall and sports facility
Pupils enter the hall at ground level from the schoolyard. External visitors and evening guests access the building via the main entrance from the forecourt. The outdoor sports facilities can be reached barrier-free from the buried basement, which also houses the changing rooms. Large glazed areas along the square offer views of the hall from outside.

Construction – natural materials, high prefabrication
Except for the parts in contact with the ground, all buildings are constructed of wood. Natural wood also plays a major role inside. Wooden slatted ceilings in the classes and in the central zone as well as individual wall elements optimise the acoustics and create a pleasant learning atmosphere.

Client: Schulgemeinde Andwil-Arnegg
Architecture: Dietrich | Untertrifaller
Competition: 2022
Area: 4,530 m² school, 1,500 m² hall
Capacity: school, multi-purpose hall, assembly hall

Partners
statics & fire protection: B3 Kolb AG, Romanshorn /// renderings: Dietrich | Untertrifaller