The Kleinzschocher district of Leipzig is celebrating its new primary school – a modern architectural landmark featuring a triple sports hall. Designed to accommodate up to 500 first through fourth graders, this building rises on a 13,500 m² site that once hosted the Plagwitz freight station. Reflecting its location, the school has taken a new name: "Grundschule am Grünen Gleis" (Primary School on the Green Track).

A view into the building from below
Designed by Leipzig-based hobusch + kuppardt architekten, this complex brings together school, after-school care, and sports hall in perfect alignment with the surrounding streetscape. The three-story solid construction showcases a striking red clinker brick façade, cantilevered upper floors, and expansive windows that echo the Wilhelmine-era architecture of the neighbourhood. What truly stands out, though, are the glazed openings incorporated into the building's projections – clever design moves that let passersby peer up into the structure from street level.

Industrial character meets modern design
The three-story sports hall, which serves local clubs in the evenings, draws inspiration from the industrial past of the site. Its exposed steel truss roof and generous parallel sheds reference the factory buildings that once dominated the area. Inside, the soaring light-filled space is framed by the steel framework, giving it an authentic industrial quality. The school building and sports hall form a unified complex, seamlessly connected by a shared passageway.

Color and student creativity bring the space to life
A bright yellow, funnel-shaped foyer welcomes students and offers barrier-free access while connecting the building to the landscaped schoolyard and garden beyond. Three oversized stairwells – painted in green, yellow, and red – punctuate the elongated building with generous skylights, creating distinct zones throughout. These bold hues beautifully offset the serene classroom spaces, where soft grey sound-absorbing floors and wood-toned elements foster a calming learning environment. The school includes 18 classrooms, group rooms, specialist spaces, and after-school care areas, many equipped with interactive whiteboards. The canteen connects to a flexible multi-purpose room and expansive library, making the space available for neighbourhood events. A standout feature: the architects invited students to sketch faces and characters before the school opened – these drawings now appear throughout the building, particularly in the ceiling-high, light grey-tiled bathrooms where they pop against the yellow doors, infusing the space with genuine liveliness and personality.

Ceiling panels complete the color story
Troldtekt acoustic ceiling panels bring the design concept home, with colours precisely matched to each stairwell and the foyer. Beyond their visual impact, these panels enhance the vibrant school environment acoustically, creating the comfortable atmosphere every learning space needs. Classified as fire-resistant (B-s1, d0) and free of harmful substances, the panels come in both standard and custom colours. Troldtekt's solutions are Cradle to Cradle Certified® and crafted from certified wood, with all panels holding PEFC^TM or FSC® certification (FSC®C115450). Working with Rambøll, Troldtekt has documented how these products support key criteria across DGNB, BREEAM, WELL, and LEED standards. With a lifespan of at least 50 years and zero maintenance required, the lifecycle costs remain remarkably low.

www.troldtekt.de

Photos: Marcus Korzer