029 Grüner Berg

Basel

2021

Anh Hoffmann
Aimée Michelfelder
und Jurek Brüggen

The Grüner Berg school project is an ambitious architectural endeavor that embodies an integrated approach to education and sustainability, aiming to actively contribute to the planet's well-being rather than merely mitigating harm. The building maximizes its physical footprint to cover and contain contaminated soil on-site, transforming the area into a thriving educational and ecological hub. In this unique school, children not only learn about the environment but also experience an immersive coexistence with it, surrounded by a living ecosystem on every level.

The school replaces the natural ground it occupies with continuous green areas that extend across all floors. These lush spaces are accessible and form part of the learning environment. Two inclined elevators, reminiscent of mountain railways, transport students, staff, and visitors across the building’s levels. The assembly hall, positioned adjacent to a public square, offers views into the dynamic interior, which includes the sports hall nestled within the green structure. Strategically placed openings facilitate natural cross-ventilation and night cooling, creating an energy-efficient and comfortable indoor climate.

Grüner Berg is designed as a vibrant, walkable centerpiece for the neighborhood. Its rooms, accessible independently from the outside, can be used by the community at any time, fostering a sense of openness and integration. Before construction begins, the flora currently present on-site will be documented, and seeds will be collected and replanted after completion. This effort ensures the preservation of local biodiversity while establishing a low-maintenance habitat. Soil layers of varying depths across the building support a range of vegetation, while the structure’s cascading levels function as retention fields during heavy rainfall, mimicking a sponge to manage water sustainably.

The classrooms, arranged around a climatic intermediate zone, provide an adaptable learning environment surrounded by greenery. This zone encourages collaborative learning across classes, furthering the school’s mission to foster a holistic educational experience. The compacted clay floors reduce noise, store heat in winter, and remain cool in summer due to their thermal mass. Exterior curtains embedded with photovoltaic cells generate electricity while also providing shade, and their curved arrangement maximizes energy production. Small wind turbines on the roof, paired with these photovoltaic systems, ensure the building’s energy needs are fully met through renewable sources.

The structure itself is crafted from wood and clay, with large laminated timber beams spanning the sports hall and resting on robust clay walls. Round wooden columns, spaced closely together, create a child-friendly scale while supporting the significant weight of the soil and clay layers. The roof’s variable overhangs adapt to the sun’s trajectory, offering shaded outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly into the overall design.

By reimagining a school as a living, breathing part of the ecosystem, Grüner Berg sets a benchmark for environmentally conscious architecture. It demonstrates how built environments can harmonize with natural systems while fostering a forward-thinking educational ethos for future generations.


in collaboration with ammi