Expansion of the Breitfeld Elementary School, CH-Bern

At the heart of the design is a broader understanding of school: not merely as a place of learning, but as an open space for education, care, recreation, and social interaction. The expansion is viewed as an integral part of the neighborhood — a place for interaction and participation.

Architecture and outdoor spaces form a unified whole. Open transitions encourage informal learning and communal activities. The base zone, with its surrounding seating steps, serves as a link between the forecourt, the central schoolyard, and the plane tree courtyard. Diversely designed open spaces provide room for movement, play, and quiet reflection, and open up the school grounds to the neighborhood.

The new extension blends into the existing school complex as a compact, clearly structured building. It comprises four above-ground stories constructed of wood, as well as two basement levels made of reinforced concrete with an integrated single-purpose sports hall. Its exterior dimensions of 28 × 16 m determine the dimensions of the above-ground volume. An underground locker room wing and an access tower attached to the courtyard side complete the structure.

The entrance is accessible from both the playground and the southern courtyard via a covered arcade. The open access tower ensures short walkways, clear wayfinding, and a direct connection to the schoolyard.

The interior layout follows a flexible spatial concept featuring two fixed cores, a versatile central zone, and four spacious units located in the corners of the building. Identical floor plans and non-load-bearing partition walls allow for long-term adaptations for uses such as classrooms, a library, or daycare.

The new building is conceived as both a standalone structure and an extension of the historic complex. Distinctive motifs from the old building are taken up and reinterpreted: The protected entrance arcade continues the arcade theme, while the access tower alludes to the clock tower above the original main entrance. The stepped base area running along the schoolyard toward the old gymnasium is also incorporated. With its approximately 60-centimeter-high base, the new building forms its concluding element.

The existing building also requires various renovation measures. These include the demolition of the existing equipment room, necessary fire safety upgrades, and various structural modifications to the classrooms on the ground floor.

Sufficiency and efficiency characterize the design in terms of land use and material selection. Minimized infrastructure areas and resource-efficient materials help reduce construction costs and the ecological footprint.

Taking inspiration from the historic school building and the neighborhood’s characteristic brick roofs, the north and south facades will be clad with reused bricks. They anchor the new building within the urban context and symbolize sustainable construction. The cantilevered end facades and the access tower stand out as distinctive elements of the clean-lined building volume.

These facade panels are set against the articulated east and west longitudinal facades. Their cladding, made of cement-bonded wood wool panels, is structured by continuous wooden strips. These cover the butt joints and reveal the underlying load-bearing structure with its continuous exterior supports. The deliberate arrangement and rhythmic pattern enhance the design appeal of this cost-effective material and give the facade a distinctive character. The high proportion of openings ensures ample natural light in the interior spaces.

The open-space concept builds on the qualities of the existing school campus. Walls and striking rows of trees, together with the buildings, enclose a sheltered courtyard. This principle of a frame and courtyard is completed by the expansion.

The central schoolyard serves as a hub for arrival, socializing, and play. Nestled within the surrounding access area is a tree-shaded natural space featuring water, sand, and gravel play areas, table tennis tables, and a vegetable garden. The robust design allows for a variety of uses.

The iconic dinosaur playground structure will be preserved and integrated into a shaded garden featuring a variety of plants. Willow huts, seating areas, and climbing and balancing structures provide places to relax and play; a water feature offers a way to cool off. Historically protected elements such as the drinking fountain, the gym door, and the letter-shaped paving will be preserved.

To the northwest of the site, a peaceful gathering place is being created around the old plane tree. The courtyard, which until now has been used primarily as a parking lot, is being revitalized through the removal of paved surfaces, a reduction in the number of parking spaces, and the addition of seating areas. A glass facade with seating steps opens up the ground floor of the new building to the courtyard. At the same time, the exit of the historic gymnasium is being reactivated with a new door.