The Challenge: An undefined corner plot in the heart of the city—flanked by two schools on a dramatic slope—with an aging gymnasium that no longer met contemporary technical and educational standards. In 2015, a design competition was launched for a new double sports hall. Glück+Partner won with a bold, sculptural architectural proposal. Facing severe site constraints, the architects stacked the two halls vertically, allowing the building mass to align with both street frontages and frame them coherently. The result? A striking landmark that complements the residential buildings across the street.

A covered walkway echoes the Schlossrealschule's boundary, weaving the new sports hall into the existing campus fabric while clearly defining the playground. Beyond its practical role as weatherproof shelter and passage, this colonnade accomplishes something equally important: it visually softens the imposing concrete retaining wall that has dominated the site since the 1950s. Built to accommodate a three-story elevation change, that massive wall now finds its counterpoint in this welcoming intermediate space.

The southeast houses both hall spaces, while support facilities occupy a four-story wing on the northwest. Two main access points ensure seamless connectivity: the lower hall—which doubles as an auditorium for school events—aligns with the lower courtyard, providing barrier-free access to Schlossrealschule. Above, a bridge at the top of the service wing connects equally accessibly to the Falkertschule ground floor.

The facade speaks through material and texture: a ventilated precast concrete skin with horizontal bands of sandblasted and smooth surfaces creates visual rhythm. Exposed concrete dominates both interior and exterior, anchored by warm wood tones. Double-glazed facades along the long sides and fiber-reinforced concrete-clad ventilation flaps at the ends sit flush with the surface, reinforcing the building's powerful cubic form. Integrated into the cavity of the double facade is weather-independent sun and privacy screening. A hybrid ventilation system provides mechanical air exchange with heat recovery, supplemented by natural cross-ventilation through end-mounted flaps—efficiency and elegance working in concert.

www.glueck-partner.de

Photography Credits:

Roland Halbe
www.rolandhalbe.eu

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|20)