Velbert's new paths

Located in the immediate vicinity of Christuskirche and Martin Luther King School, the new building of the three-form Grünstraße primary school with a two-court sports hall blends sensitively into the established structure of Velbert. Two independent structures frame a sheltered playground, creating clear addresses for the town and interweaving school, sport and neighbourhood.

Project

New building of a primary school with a two-court sports hall

Client

City of Velbert

Service

1-5 HOAI

Area

ca. 6.500 m² GFA

Location

Grünstraße in Velbert

PPP Partner

Depenbrock

Photography

Dorfmüller Klier

Specifics

1st place PPP- Procedure

An ensemble in converation

Instead of a monolithic school building, an open structure consisting of two interwoven structures was created. The school building faces Grünstraße with the open façade of the canteen. From here, visitors are guided via a welcoming plaza to the main entrance of the school, located to the southeast. The sports hall, on the other hand, faces Kurze Straße and makes use of the natural topography of the site: the hall is at street level and thus slightly below the schoolyard, allowing the large-volume building to blend in with the everyday life of the school. Between the buildings is a sheltered playground that deliberately opens up to the Martin Luther King School, thus reflecting and expanding the existing educational character of the site and further strengthening it as a cohesive school location.

The light-coloured clinker façade with coloured curtain walls and reveals differentiates the areas and forms a design bracket. Coloured recesses, generous glazing and clear sightlines emphasise the open character of the school. Seating steps and play equipment encourage active breaks in the sheltered outdoor area. Two green classrooms in the outdoor area complement the room layout with natural learning spaces.

With good connections

Inside, the barrier-free school building is divided into three mini-schools, administration, a canteen and multi-purpose areas. At its heart is the central, three-storey foyer with a gallery, which not only connects the different levels vertically, but also offers space for meeting, orientation and relaxation. The mini-schools are organised over three floors and each has direct access to the outdoor area.

Open learning areas with seating niches, group rooms and differentiation zones characterise the so-called mini schools. Generous window areas and glazed doors create visual connections and ensure plenty of daylight. A warm colour scheme and materials in wood, white and green tones support an atmosphere conducive to learning.

Naturally considered

Special attention has been paid to the materials used. Wooden slats on the walls, light-colored tiles, colorful chairs, and large windows create a bright, natural atmosphere that is particularly evident in the cafeteria. Here, students eat, play, learn, or simply gaze out of the window in peace. The room opens up generously to its surroundings, with sightlines connecting the interior and exterior spaces. The furniture is child-friendly, flexible, and color-coded—a concept that runs throughout the entire school.

Hall in interplay

The two-court sports hall in the north of the property is barrier-free and has two equivalent main entrances: one on the school side via the shared foyer and one on Kurze Straße for club and neighborhood sports. Here, too, a clear separation of functional areas and movement flows has been implemented.

A spacious, light-filled split-level foyer connects all levels. Seating windows facing the hall create exciting views. Thanks to its location below the schoolyard and the staggered arrangement of the building structures, the hall fits perfectly into the ensemble – as part of the school and at the same time usable independently.

Desigined to last

In addition to design quality, sustainability was a key focus of the planning process. Built to Efficiency House 40 EE standards, the building uses geothermal energy, photovoltaics, and extensive green roofing. The compact cubature reduces energy losses, while durable materials such as clinker and wood minimize maintenance requirements. Mobility was also taken into account: barrier-free access, separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists, bicycle parking spaces, and an e-charging station round off the concept.