Refurbishment of a school building and new extension — Karlstraße 104, 74076 Heilbronn, Germany — 6.310 m² — October 2023 — City of Heilbronn
That's new school
blocher partners has modernised the Fritz Ulrich School in Heilbronn. After three years of construction while the school continued to operate, the entire building can now be used again. The signage system was designed by the communications agency typenraum.
The Fritz Ulrich School in Heilbronn is a community school with around 400 pupils. The school building dates back to the 1960s and was overdue for refurbishment. Over a three-year construction period, we renovated the structure, upgraded the building's energy efficiency, redesigned the schoolyard and adapted the building to the special educational needs of a community and all-day school.
The construction site was particularly challenging, as work was carried out while the school was open. One key measure was to roof over the open inner courtyards. This resulted in two 13 metre high atriums, which now form the heart of the school: They extend across all three storeys of the school building and are used as event halls. The foyer was also redesigned to make it light-flooded and inviting.
In terms of energy efficiency, the building was upgraded in a variety of ways: The 1,850 square metre façade was insulated, the roof and windows were replaced and an air heat pump now supplements the gas heating. A photovoltaic system on the flat roof generates emission-free electricity. "By preserving the building fabric, reusing materials and upgrading the energy efficiency of the building envelope and building services, the refurbishment is making a contribution to sustainable and climate-friendly construction," said Andreas Ringle, Mayor of Heilbronn, at the opening of the school.
The schoolyard has also become greener: instead of tarmac, there are now lawns and planting beds. Light-coloured concrete paving has been used where solid ground was required for paths and fire service areas. This heats up less and has the advantage that rainwater can seep away through the joints. New play and sports equipment encourages children to exercise during the breaks and when there are no lessons. Lots of seating invites children to relax and study outdoors.
The school has been completely barrier-free since the refurbishment. A music room, a teaching kitchen, a computer room and an art and crafts room have also been added. All classrooms have been equipped with interactive whiteboards and screens.
