Many school buildings from previous decades face a pressing challenge: they weren't designed for full-day instruction and must now be retrofitted as this educational model becomes the norm. Neubiberg Grammar School, constructed in the 1970s, encountered the same problem. Though the building had undergone renovation, it had never been expanded. Munich-based architectural firm Peck Daam, renowned for their school design expertise, was commissioned to reimagine and extend the campus.

The solution unfolded in two phases. First, the architects reorganized the facility's functions; then they built an extension. By relocating the canteen into the former library space, they created a larger dining area accommodating 130 students. The vacated canteen space was repurposed for the full-day school program. The restructuring required stripping the affected areas back to the concrete shell to accommodate new proportions. Suspended ceilings were removed to achieve greater room heights, with acoustics and lighting adjusted accordingly.

The challenge lay in finding a home for the new library. Rather than consuming additional land, the architects made an inspired choice: they built over the bicycle parking area. A concrete platform serves as a roof structure, crowned by a sculptural "wooden box" of solid timber. A glazed joint and shared emergency stairway connect it seamlessly to the existing building. The timber form appears to float atop its concrete base—a striking architectural gesture. The new library is an open rectangular room with glazed walls along its length and a cantilevered, covered terrace facing south. Circular skylights illuminate the interior and create openings for two trees on the terrace. Half-height shelving units define the space, with strategic placement creating distinct zones. The architects prioritized premium materials throughout: the timber used in both the library and refurbished canteen establishes a warm, inviting atmosphere. The extension creates a dynamic composition of opposing building volumes, with a new pedestrian pathway extending alongside the bicycle parking structure to the main entrance.

www.peckdaam.de

Photography Credits:

Uta Niedermaier
www.designbuero-una.de

(Published in CUBE Munich 02|22)