Communicative Atrium

The Lore Lorentz Vocational College in Eller creates abundant space for collaborative learning

Since 2010, the Lore Lorentz Vocational College has called Schloßallee home. Following the demolition of the original building, a new structure now significantly expands the school's spatial reach. Commissioned with both design and execution, sander.hofrichter architekten created a compact, polygonally-shaped three-story volume that weaves together communicative zones with multiple classroom clusters—dramatically enhancing the school's learning environment.

The building's form responds precisely to its urban context—a prominent corner where Schloßallee intersects Heidelberger Straße. Positioned strategically along the busy Heidelberger Straße, the structure shields a protected courtyard from traffic noise. Like its neighbor across the street, the building features a striking clinker brick curtain wall. Yet it's the entrance area that truly bridges old and new: by echoing the distinctive red tones of the adjacent structure, both buildings engage in a visual dialogue across the street, reading as a unified whole. The project marks the first time a vocational college has embraced a cluster-based classroom design: each pair of clusters groups three classrooms around an open learning commons complete with sanitary facilities and materials storage, transforming circulation into active learning space. This arrangement repeats across the northern and western wings. At the heart of the building sits a breathtaking atrium-like hall, its skylit ceiling and dramatic seating staircase commanding attention. Crafted from exposed concrete and punctuated with red multifunctional seating elements, this central stair connects all floors while functioning as the school's vital communication hub—its true heartbeat. Directly linked to the auditorium, it opens countless possibilities for events and gatherings. The first floor houses administration and a self-directed learning center, while the staff zone—positioned above the main entry—includes a commons and meeting spaces. The second floor dedicated to science labs incorporates an additional central collection room. Throughout, open galleries encircle the central hall, animating every floor with visual connection and movement.

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