3/13 Deutsche Schule Madrid, Spanien - Grüntuch Ernst Architekten, Berlin

Grüntuch Ernst Architekten write about their project: The new building for the Deutsche Schule in the North of Madrid replaces the former cramped accommodations in the city centre. With its special educational programme and evening theatre performances and concerts, this school is an important place of cultural exchange. The large school’s diverse areas of use are clearly visible as units in this ensemble. The single buildings of the three school types – kindergarten, elementary and secondary school – each enclose an inner courtyard, which opens toward the countryside, offering a view of the snow-covered mountains.

All common areas – the foyer courtyards, the cafeteria, the assembly hall as a concert hall with 750 seats and the sports hall – connect the school buildings with each other. Nearly 1,800 pupils and kindergarten children come and go in the protected foyer courtyards under perforated roofs. The sculptural force of the polygonal skyward openings generates a stimulating play of light and shadow. The rediscovery of traditional methods, such as the use of an underground thermo-labyrinth, ensures long-term and sustainable operation of the building.

A school shapes the pupils’ understanding of the built and natural environment, as well as the sociocultural environment. Diverse visual and spatial relationships and meeting places in the building reinforce group identification and intercultural encounters.

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Further information

Employees:
Armand Grüntuch, Prof. Almut Grüntuch-Ernst

Partners/Planners:
GTB-Berlin Gesellschaft für Technik am Bau mbH, Berlin (Structure)
Prof. Dr. sc. Mike Schlaich, Berlin (Structural engineer)
Ingenieurbüro für Haustechnik KEM GmbH, Berlin (Building engineering)
Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH, Stuttgart (Energy technology)
Prof. Dr. Klaus Daniels / HL-Technik, München (Energy policy – competition)
Müller-BBM GmbH, Berlin (Constructional physics)
hhpberlin, Berlin (Fire protection)
Úrculo Ingenieros, Madrid (Fire protection / building engineering)
Lützow 7 Garten- und Landschaftsarchitekten, Berlin (Outdoor installations)
Lichtvision, Berlin (Lighting design)
GuD Consult GmbH, Berlin (Soil expert)
Carsten Nicolai, Berlin (Percent for art)
Folke Hanfeld, Berlin (Percent for art)

Photographer:
Celia de Coca, Madrid