As part of the "Dortmunder Weg" initiative, Reinoldi Comprehensive School in Mengede underwent a comprehensive renovation and expansion with a striking new building. Working with Alho, a specialist in modular construction, and planning firm futur.drei, the project was realized with impressive speed and efficiency. In just 33 weeks, 128 steel modules were installed. The new building was designed with self-directed learning at its core, translating the school's pedagogical philosophy of "the child at the center" into spatial reality. The result: open, flexible learning landscapes bathed in natural light—spaces that inspire creativity and support diverse learning approaches. The building's clear structural logic reinforces this philosophy. Two four-story functional blocks, each completely autonomous, encircle a central light-filled forum that serves as the heart of the school. Wood, greenery, and the dynamic interplay of projecting and recessed modules create a richly layered, visually engaging exterior.

The design engages the eye at every turn. Atriums and abundant glazing flood the interior with light, creating a luminous, welcoming atmosphere throughout. This extends to the "fifth façade"—the roof—which has been transformed into a vibrant, accessible landscape featuring greenery, atriums, solar panels, and technical zones. It's a tangible demonstration of how nature, renewable energy, and innovation work in concert, allowing students to directly experience the building's sustainable design. The ground floor's flexible entry area centers on the forum, with its atriums and generous fenestration serving as both a gathering and working hub. Here you'll find language support facilities, a music practice studio, the library, and a student café. School administration offices, equipped with meeting and counseling rooms, along with staff lounges, kitchenettes, and service spaces, are conveniently located but thoughtfully set apart from the bustling central forum.

The upper floors feature a cluster layout designed to meet the school's diverse educational needs. Each cluster, organized around a central hub, supports both independent study and collaborative work. Movable partition walls between classroom pairs allow two rooms to merge, creating the flexibility needed to accommodate different learning scenarios, group sizes, and pedagogical approaches. Four differentiation rooms of varying sizes provide additional space for self-directed learning. This modular design approach ensures the school can adapt seamlessly to the demands of contemporary education.

www.futur3planer.de
www.alho.com

Photos:
Markus Steur
www.steur.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03/25)