Conversion of Montessori Center Eilendorf
Conversion of the existing elementary school into an energy-efficient Montessori center
© Baupiloten BDA, Berlin
Occasion and goal
After partial demolition of old, outdated parts of the building and renovation of the old buildings worthy of preservation, a new ensemble was created with a new building for the assembly hall, canteen and administration as a connecting link.
Key data
- Refurbishment and extension of the Montessori elementary school in Eilendorf
- Start of execution: January 2021
- Expected completion: 2026
- Net room area NRF: 3,594.3 m²
- GFA: 4,589.6 m²
- Architects: Die Baupiloten BDA, Berlin
- Lighting refurbishment, funded with €23,500, 2021-2024
Construction site photos
2025
The façade work is progressing.Interior with suspended ceiling and new windows2024
The decentralized ventilation system is installed.The roof is finished.The windows are installed.2023
The TGA is installed.Interior view of the shell.The shell has been completed.2022
The walls of the first floor are standing.
Reinforcement for the upper floor has been completed.
The floor slab is finished.
Ground work is progressing.
Measurements are taken.
Dismantling of the wooden floor.October 2021 Demolition work
Demolition is finished.
Demolition site to the right part of the building.
Demolition site to the left building.
The demolition work is progressing.
The front wall of the building has been demolished.August 2021
Andreas HerrmannThe windows were successfully demolished.
Andreas HerrmannDemolition work has begun.March 2021 Remediation of harmful substances
The hallway was taped off.
The old staircase.
Stone walls inside the building.
The windows were taped.
The remediation work is progressing.
Pollutant remediation.Stock images
Front view.
View from the schoolyard.
View from the schoolyard.
Concept, design and materials
After partial demolition and renovation of the old buildings, a new building for the assembly hall, refectory and administration was added to create a new overall ensemble.
© Die Baupiloten BDA, Berlin
Outdoor facilities and site plan
The design concept for the new building and the renovation of the old buildings are based on various principles:
- Room program of the school
- Participation workshops with children and adults and
- urban planning context.
On the one hand, the design concept for the interior brings together the three buildings from different construction periods into one school, and on the other hand it also embeds the existing characteristics of the old buildings, in particular the existing staircases, into the overall concept.
Stimuli from participation
Important impulses for the interior design came from participation. In the adult workshop, the first step was to define which learning, working and recreational areas should be in the future school.
In their workshops, the children also described the atmospheric qualities they would like to see in their ideal school. Nature in all its diversity and variety was and is the dominant model.
Veins, celebration heart and learning planets
The transfer is symbolized by the corridors of the building sections becoming the vital "veins" of the school. They originate in the "celebration heart" (assembly hall and canteen) and "grow" from there through the building. In this way, they connect the areas that are important for the children, such as the so-called learning planets (classrooms).
The various learning and recreational situations inside and outside the building, in particular the "learning nests", "green classrooms" and "play landscapes", are part of this system in terms of design and function.
Materials
In order to create more clarity in the variety of existing materials, the new materials are limited to rubber for the floors, painted and exposed concrete walls and acoustically effective ceiling panels made of wood wool. These materials are the same in all parts of the building. They are interwoven with the components from the existing buildings: natural stone floors, wall and floor tiles and leaded glass elements.
A more robust floor covering was chosen for the auditorium, canteen and main entrance, which conceptually connects the urban outdoor space with the assembly area and the schoolyard.
Further project information
Facade and roof design of the new building
The façade is designed as a perforated façade and thus fits into the urban context of Eilendorf. An exception are the windows of the assembly hall and canteen, which were implemented as large openings in a mullion-transom construction to emphasize the intended opening of the school to the district.
The main entrance on Kaiserstraße is set back to create a sheltered entrance situation. Here, the plastered base formally echoes the base of the old building.
The façade was designed as a wooden slatted façade - firstly because of the interesting feel and secondly to clearly distinguish the new building from the two old buildings in terms of materiality. In this way, the school's new identity is also visible in the cityscape.
The timber façade is extended upwards beyond the parapet into a stainless steel mesh from the ball catcher fence to a straight end. This new end forms the fall protection for the roof used as a schoolyard extension. It continues the roof landscape of the existing building and makes the new building a natural part of the ensemble.
Drawings and visualizations
© Die Baupiloten BDA, BerlinSouthwest view Visualization
© Die Baupiloten BDA, BerlinView Northeast Visualization
© Die Baupiloten BDA, BerlinView northwest - southeast
© Die Baupiloten BDA, BerlinView northeast - southwestExisting situation
The site is located in Eilendorf, Kaiserstrasse 59 on the corner of Karlsstrasse. The entire site comprises various building sections from different eras:
Ensemble of buildings around 1909:
- School building
- former schoolmaster's house, now daycare center
- small sports hall.
All parts of the building from this period were originally erected as solitary buildings.
1950s:
- An L-shaped school building was added to the west of the old school building, which in turn was extended in the 1960s.
1980s:
- The old school building was supplemented by a further building section on the eastern side (former refugee accommodation).
- A single-field sports hall was also built on the site in the 1980s.
There are also two pavilions with temporary classrooms from the 1970s on the site.
Demolition and new construction
Demolition
The measure comprised the demolition of the building from the 1980s (former refugee accommodation), as well as the (partial) demolition of the L-shaped building and new construction on the same site.Refurbishment
The remaining components with school use (old 1909 school building and the remaining part of the L-shaped extension) were refurbished.New building as a link
The new building forms the new structural and organizational link between the two existing buildings. The first floor of the new building houses the assembly hall and canteen, the communal rooms (the "celebration heart"). The second floor of the new building houses the school's administrative wing, offices, staff rooms and meeting rooms.The volume of the auditorium extends through the second floor, making it a spacious hall for meetings. The storey heights of the new building are based on the storey heights of the old building from around 1909. The new building has two storeys and no basement.
The classrooms, specialist rooms and ancillary rooms are located in the old buildings. The classroom structure with the respective ancillary rooms of the two old buildings was retained.
Renovation of old buildings
Old building 1950
The part of the building from the 1950s was completely gutted due to the presence of harmful substances. The gutting included the demolition of interior plaster, interior doors, ceiling plaster, floor coverings and screed. All interior surfaces, walls including doors, ceilings and floors were completely renewed.The ceilings were acoustically upgraded to meet the requirements. Most of the existing windows had already been replaced with wooden aluminum windows as part of previous measures, while the remaining existing windows were completely replaced as part of the refurbishment.
Old building 1909
This part of the building was renovated from the ground up. Here, a smaller-scale remediation of harmful substances was necessary. Various ceilings, heating niches and all interior surfaces, such as walls including doors, ceilings and floors, were completely renovated.The ceilings were acoustically upgraded to meet the requirements. The small staircase, which did not meet the fire safety requirements, was removed and replaced with a new, external staircase.
All windows in the exterior façade were replaced with new windows based on the historical model. The historic roof truss was re-roofed and the existing supporting structure was upgraded from the ground up.In accordance with the requirements, both old buildings were given new sanitary facilities.
Lighting refurbishment
As part of the overall refurbishment of Kaiserstrasse elementary school, the lighting was also replaced with a subsidized system. Fluorescent lamps were replaced by LED lighting with daylight and presence control. This led to considerable energy savings and improved visual comfort.
The lighting refurbishment was carried out as part of the Federal Environment Ministry's National Climate Protection Initiative.
Funding amount: € 23,500
FKZ: 67K16625
Duration: 1.7.2021 - 31.10.2026
National Climate Initiative:
Since 2008, the Federal Environment Ministry has been initiating and funding numerous projects that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the National Climate Initiative. Its programs and projects cover a broad spectrum of climate protection activities: From the development of long-term strategies to concrete assistance and investment support measures. This diversity is a guarantee for good ideas. The National Climate Initiative helps to anchor climate protection on the ground. It benefits consumers as well as companies, local authorities and educational institutions.
