Hinterfassade und Garten des Inklusiven

Dynamic Lusatia

Primary school extension for the inclusive school centre, Döbern

ArchDaily Building of the Year 2023 Nominiert
DAM Preis 2023 Nominiert

Structural change poses major challenges for some regions, among them Lusatia, a former lignite mining region. “The Brandenburg state government, in close cooperation with the Saxon state government, wants to give additional impetus and more momentum to structural development in Lusatia and develop it into a model region for structural change,” the state of Brandenburg says on its website.

How can these goals be achieved? By counteracting the exodus of young families in particular with modern educational offers; for example, with a school according to the latest pedagogical findings and with high architectural standards. We have built such a school for Lusatia: the primary school section of an inclusive school centre in Döbern. Three storeys, two parallel classes per year for 360 pupils.

Hinterfassade und Garten des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Vorderfassade des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern. Blick von der Straße auf das Inklusiven Schulzentrum in Döbern.
Seitenfassade und Grünfläche des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Fassade und Sportfläche des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Detail von der Fassade des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Detail von der Fassade des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.

School construction as an impulse for regions undergoing structural change

On the edge of the Lusatian town, the existing secondary school was extended by a building for primary education to create an inclusive school centre. It is a monolithic, three-storey building with a distinct volume, whose recesses on the ground-floor accentuate the entrance and school hall. These recesses and the materiality of the facade clad with coal-fired facing bricks create a regional reference to the former mining region. While a forecourt opens up towards the street, the multi-purpose room, which serves as a school hall and dining room for the entire school centre, overlooks the open landscape. On the two upper floors, the classrooms and group rooms are arranged around two atriums. The rooms can be used in different combinations, allowing the building to accommodate flexible forms of teaching, even outside in the green classroom and on detached learning islands.

Wanddetail im Foyer des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Detail der Treppe des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern. Detail der Treppe des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Detail der Treppe des Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Korridor im Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern. Foyer im Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.

Great flexibility for new and changing pedagogical concepts

‘Chalk & Talk’ teaching is a thing of the past. Today, learning takes place in clusters and not just in the classroom, but everywhere whenever possible. The floor plan of the new building offers great flexibility for new and changing pedagogical concepts. Two green classrooms and inner courtyards also allow for outdoor lessons. The wide corridors and staircases become places of communication and learning. The classrooms for grades 1 and 2 as well as all subject-specific rooms are located on the first floor, while the classrooms for grades 3 to 6 are on the second floor. In addition to the green classrooms, the outdoor facilities offer plenty of space for a spacious schoolyard with various play and recreational facilities. Because at some point, children need a break even from the best of learning.

Foyer im Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Treppenhaus und Schüler im Inklusiven Schulzentrum in Döbern. Klassenraum im Inklusiven Schulzentrum in Döbern.
Foyer im Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.
Korridor im Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern. Foyer im Inklusiven Schulzentrums in Döbern.

Educational buildings are an investment in the future.

In keeping with the holistic nature of the planning process, Sehw is once again responsible as general planner for all planning disciplines and across all service phases. We are pleased to have played our part as the general planning team in creating space in Döbern for learning and teaching according to the most advanced pedagogical concepts.

Educational buildings are an investment in the future and, for us architects, a particularly meaningful planning task. This project is a prime example of how joint efforts can create added value for society.

  • Project type

    New construction

  • Purpose

    Education

  • GFA

    3,915 m²

  • Project status

    Completed

  • Period

    2018 – 2021

  • Procurement

    Public tendering process

  • Awards

    Contract awarded
    DA! Austellung Berlin

  • Nomination

    DAM Preis
    ArchDaily

  • Construction cost

    14,000,000 €

  • Service phases

    1 – 9 (HOAI)

  • Project team

    Matthias Gall
    Svea Gerland
    Thomas Reinke
    Marc Urhahn
    Oren Zohar