The Deichhorst primary school in Delmenhorst is to be expanded into an all-day school and, as part of this, converted from a three-form to a four-form school. The adjacent Waldorf kindergarten, located on the grounds south of the primary school, is to be expanded to accommodate two additional groups as part of the same construction project.
The primary school’s existing buildings currently consist of two one- to two-storey buildings with extensions, which have undergone several structural changes since they were first built in 1898 until the 2000s. A sports hall dating from 1908 is a listed building. The Waldorf kindergarten, built in organic ‘Waldorf architecture’, was constructed in 2009.
The project focuses on the planning of a compact new building between the two existing buildings. In addition to a canteen, a classroom cluster and the adjoining ancillary rooms of the primary school, this will also house the new kindergarten rooms on the ground floor. Design and functional references to the existing buildings will be created – both in the architectural design of the new building and in the routing for the various target and visitor groups.
The primary school canteen is also to be used for external events and will have an easily accessible entrance that can be seen from the school playground.
Due to the large building volume, the result is a building with a deep core, which we break up and organise with a suitable floor plan. We focus on open corridors, direct views to the outside and a reduced colour scheme that creates a calm learning environment.
The façade of the new building will be structured by window and parapet bands, the latter accentuated by a differentiated joint colour. The window areas will be designed with narrow fixed elements with coloured glass. In addition, the new building will repeatedly open up references to the surrounding nature and will preserve as many trees as possible in its surroundings.
The city of Delmenhorst is pursuing the goal of becoming a model climate city. We are taking this into account with climate-resilient building design (KfW-40 standard). Photovoltaic systems are planned for the roofs, as well as green roofs and façades. In addition, we attach great importance to accessibility and a design with the lowest possible operating and maintenance costs.
Completion of the new building is scheduled for summer 2027.
