"Our school is an outstanding example of built appreciation. It provides an ideal learning and working environment and understands school as a living space," says Simone Gnädig, principal of the Pfrimmtal Realschule Plus, following the school's opening. "Thanks to the architectural firm a|sh, we were able to create a modern and inspiring learning environment that meets the needs of our students and teachers," she adds. The new building merges two former school locations and establishes a new educational campus in Worms: The property also includes an elementary school, cafeteria, and gymnasium with sports hall. A campus thoroughfare connects the arrival plaza to all buildings. In keeping with the concept, the new "heart of the school" has been designed as: an open seating staircase that, together with the flexible music room, offers possibilities for presentations, celebrations, and assemblies while embodying the idea of a democratic school.

The compact design strategy—clustering general learning spaces and minimizing circulation areas—delivers an efficient ratio of gross to usable floor area while optimizing the relationship between external spaces and building volume. The school generates its own renewable energy for heating, surpassing local energy conservation standards. With energy efficiency and sustainability as core priorities, the three-story structure comprises two interlocking cubes crafted in sustainable clinker brick—a choice that ensures durability, low maintenance, and enhanced building performance. Soaring floor-to-ceiling mullion windows and a dramatic cantilever canopy draw attention to the main entrance while opening the music room directly to the forecourt. The first cube houses the primary functions: main entrance, auditorium, music room, and administration on the ground level, with specialized classrooms and the school library above. The second cube—the "learning house"—reflects the school's commitment to personalized, competency-based learning through its double-grade clusters. Each floor contains one cluster with six classrooms, a teacher workstation, a flexible teaching plaza, sanitary facilities, and cloakrooms. A multipurpose room supports differentiated instruction and inclusive education within each cluster.

Universal accessibility throughout the building and tactile guidance systems—such as floor markings—ensure all children, including those with disabilities, can fully participate in school life.

​www.a-sh.de

Photography:

Felix Meyer
www.felixmeyer-fotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 03|24)