"Our school stands as a remarkable testament to thoughtful design. It provides an outstanding learning and work environment, and truly embodies the concept of school as a living community," reflects Simone Gnädig, headmistress of Pfrimmtal Realschule Plus, following the opening. "Working with architectural firm a|sh, we've created a vibrant, modern learning environment that genuinely responds to the needs of our students and teachers," she adds. The new building merges two former school campuses into a unified educational hub in Worms: the grounds encompass a primary school, cafeteria, and gymnastics and sports facilities. A central campus thoroughfare connects the arrival plaza to all buildings. The design culminates in a striking new "heart of the school": an open amphitheater staircase paired with a flexible music room—fostering presentations, celebrations, and assemblies while embodying the principles of democratic education.

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)