New construction and renovation of the Geschwister-Scholl-Gesamtschule in Göttingen

17.01.2025
Photo: © screen ID digital imaging

CANZLER has been commissioned by the city of Göttingen to plan a new building and the refurbishment of the existing buildings at the Geschwister-Scholl-Gesamtschule (G-S-G) in accordance with the public procurement regulations. The aim of the new timber hybrid building is to integrate the technology into the architecture in such a way that it is not visible and does not detract from the aesthetics. For the refurbishment of existing buildings, the focus is on optimising space and improving energy efficiency in accordance with the "Göttingen 2030 Climate Plan" and the building construction standard.

 

Increasing numbers of students, new teaching concepts and inclusive approaches require a future-oriented development of the existing building into an integrated comprehensive school for around 1,400 schoolchildren. Together with the Godehard Primary School, the school comprises ten buildings with a total gross floor area of 30,750 square meters.


New building as a sustainable place of learning

In the first step, a new building with a gross floor area of 3,250 square meters in a timber hybrid construction to the passive house standard is being built by summer 2026. The barrier-free structure, designed by CANZLER, is conceived as a place of learning with a feel-good atmosphere. According to the given room program, it contains the areas for years 9 and 10, including twelve classrooms as well as specialist and differentiation rooms. An open entrance foyer with visible glulam columns and a wide staircase with seating serves as a place to arrive and linger; it opens up to the roof as an airspace and, in connection with the “performing arts” area, functions as an event space. The upper floor includes a teaching kitchen and ancillary rooms. The outer zones on the ground floor are intended for classrooms and inclusive areas, while the middle zone is for service rooms such as technical areas.


Since the idea of sustainability is at the forefront of both construction and operation, ecological, organic and natural materials dominate. Visible GSP ceilings contrast with white plastered walls and exposed concrete. On the outside, the building will present itself as an architectural highlight of G-S-G with prefabricated wooden facade elements and generous window areas. “The challenge with the new building is to integrate the technology invisibly into the architecture,” explains Stefanie Graebe, the responsible architect at CANZLER. “In terms of sustainability, wood will be used as the main construction material in relation to the basement made of reinforced concrete.”

 

Space for inclusive rooms

The existing buildings will then be renovated, starting with the 1976 building complex D, E and F. Years 5 and 6, the cafeteria, the library, science classrooms and the administration are located there. To renovate the building envelope of the reinforced concrete skeleton structure in terms of energy efficiency, concrete elements are first dismantled and protruding concrete corbels are cut off. Then, a prefabricated facade made of timber elements with windows and shading elements is installed without thermal bridges.

“Thanks to the curtain wall, we are gaining space and can add the necessary inclusion rooms by restructuring the classrooms. In addition, the corridors facing the façade will be opened up to provide better lighting,” explains Graebe. An elevator is being installed between the buildings to make the complex barrier-free and accessible for stretchers. New building technology will reduce energy consumption, and a ventilation system will improve air quality in the classrooms. A photovoltaic system will be installed to generate CO2-neutral electricity.


CANZLER is expanding its expertise in the field of educational buildings with the Geschwister-Scholl-Gesamtschule and showing how these can be adapted to today's requirements.

 

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