In 2022, the Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Gymnasium in Ratingen gained a vital new extension. Designed by the Bochum-based architects at SSP AG, the three-storey addition was positioned on the east side of the existing school building. A striking bridge—combining glass, steel, and a planted roof—connects the new and existing structures at the first floor level.

The approximately 83-meter-long new building adopts the building form, zoning, and proportions of the striking existing structure with natural ease, yet develops confident independence through a contemporary interpretation of materials. The ground floor façade consists of clinker masonry, interrupted by floor-to-ceiling glazed elements. The upper stories are enclosed by an aluminum-glass façade, vertically articulated by pilasters of glass fiber reinforced concrete. The building's layout, encompassing roughly 1,600 m² of usable floor space, follows clear functional logic. The ground floor houses two generous specialist music rooms with an adjoining storage and preparation area in between. Additionally, offices for homework supervision and student counseling are located here. Characteristic of the building are the generously designed corridors, which offer compelling views and are integrated as gathering spaces within the school's daily life. The two upper floors of the fully accessible new building accommodate the six-form lower school classes respectively. In accordance with new pedagogical concepts, identity-building learning clusters have been created. In addition to twelve classrooms, these include, for example, the generously proportioned corridors with alcoves featuring fixed seating furniture that serve as learning zones and meeting points. The floors also house a staff office for teachers, a flexibly adaptable student lounge, and accessible toilets for people with disabilities.

State-of-the-art technical systems complement the modern classroom spaces, anchoring the building's sustainable approach. Solar panels on the green roof generate clean energy, while decentralized façade ventilation units with heat recovery maintain healthy indoor air year-round—even in winter—without relying on wide-open windows. This system substantially reduces heating demands compared to natural ventilation alone. For this forward-thinking design, SSP AG earned recognition with the iF Design Award in the Public Architecture category.

www.ssp.ag

Photography:

Jörg Hempel
www.joerg-hempel.com

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|24)