In the heart of a Lankwitz neighbourhood dotted with apartment blocks stands an architectural jewel: the Beethoven Gymnasium, with its commanding colonnaded portico, welcomes some 900 students and 90 teachers. This impressive four-winged structure, designed by Fritz Freymüller and completed in 1913, has shown its age. Its grand façade once housed the community hall – now a stunning auditorium and versatile event venue for the school. A comprehensive renovation and modernisation initiative launched in 2016 will continue for years to come. Berlin-based TSSB Architekten.Ingenieure won the international competition for the project. In the first construction phase, they tackled a 1970s addition. The school entrance at the rear leads to an inner courtyard and the individual wings. What started as a simple window replacement evolved into something far more ambitious, thanks to TSSB's collaborative dialogue with school leadership and skillful negotiations with city authorities. The result? Dramatic improvements across the board. The cafeteria's acoustics were transformed by installing massive sound-absorbing panels designed by the students themselves – a small intervention with outsized impact. In the stairwells, which had echoed relentlessly, sound-dampening perforated panels lined with mineral wool now create a more pleasant environment. The real hero of the renovation, however, is colour. Bold, strategic use of colour on each floor transforms the entire experience. The ground floor announces itself in red – flooring, doors, and even tiled bathrooms in vibrant red tones. Most importantly, the wide corridors that were previously off-limits for safety reasons have been reimagined as vibrant gathering spaces, with clever sculptural furniture featuring angular planes and surfaces that serve as seating and work areas. This change is transformative for students who previously had nowhere to sit during breaks except the floor or stairs. The first floor repeats this playful colour strategy in cheerful sunny yellow, evoking light and openness. Niche-like seating that echoes school desks becomes an inviting feature. The second floor is pure blue, devoted to the sciences with dedicated chemistry, biology, and physics classrooms. The technical overhaul throughout is equally impressive – digital connectivity with computer stations and whiteboards, responsive external blinds, and sophisticated LED lighting that casts a far warmer glow than the harsh fluorescent tubes of the past.

www.tssb.de

Photography Credits:

TSSB Architects.Engineers, Klaudia Ali
Natalia Mikhailova
www.nami-made.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 02|21)