Middle School and High School, Spangdahlem | Gaus Architekten Stuttgart I Göppingen I Kiel I Rotterdam

The construction of the Middle School and High School in Spangdahlem, besides the realization of the Elementary and High School in Böblingen, was another major project in collaboration with the Stuttgart office Aldinger Architekten.

Same as in Böblingen, two schools for the children of U.S. military personnel have been built in Spangdahlem. The most important difference: In Spangdahlem both schools are accommodated in one building complex. The rooms can accommodate up to 625 students and 90 employees. A functional disposition is clearly visible inside and outside – which is important for the identification of students with “their” areas as well as for the overall orientation.

A particular challenge was the transformation of the sophisticated pedagogical concept (“21th Century School”) in architecture and building technology. This includes that premises can be transformed quickly and flexibly by teachers and students. Technical innovations, especially in the field of media and IT are not allowed to require larger reconstruction measures.

The main elements of the “21th Century School” approach are the provision and establishment of learning communities, the offering of places to stay and for joint activities as well as a resource center with media and information services. The architecture must fulfil the integrative task of connecting these elements in space and function.