Kleinholz School Complex, CH-Olten
In the Kleinholz neighborhood in southern Olten, 500 new apartments are set to be built over the next few years. To accommodate the resulting increase in student enrollment, the city plans to build a new school complex featuring a triple-purpose gym, a daycare center, and after-school programs, which, together with the existing sports facilities, will form a new neighborhood center.
Since neither the construction of the gym nor the exact number of students is certain, it is crucial that the facility be easily expandable and built in phases. We therefore propose three separate structures, all based on the same grid, so that further construction is always possible and straightforward. The structures are arranged along an internal axis, and their careful placement creates a natural zoning of the outdoor space. The three-story main building marks the entrance to the school grounds from the city and, together with the existing community center and the new gymnasium, frames the new playground. Similarly, the school expansion forms the southern boundary of the site, and in the center of the lot, the buildings enclose a sheltered green space for the youngest children.
The shed roofs and the simple, clean facade visually tie the entire complex together, while a light roof structure over the central path also creates a spatial connection. The main building is organized around a central common area that serves as a gathering space, learning environment, and event venue, while also ensuring easy access and ample natural light for all rooms. The elementary school classrooms are grouped around the atrium on both upper floors, while the kindergarten is located on the ground floor along the stepped east facade. The facilities for after-school care and the music school, also located on the ground floor, bring the area to life even outside of school hours, allowing it to fully fulfill its role as a community hub.
