Expansion and renovation
Rhein-Maas-Gymnasium 2025
G8-G9 extension and refurbishment of science rooms
Current: Construction site photos May 2025

Current: Construction site photos May 2025
The switch from G8 to G9 will create additional space requirements for around 930 pupils.
In 2018, the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia passed the 13th School Law Amendment Act and reorganized the duration of the educational courses at lower secondary level. The grammar schools in NRW were thus given the option of conducting the Abitur examination after eight or nine school years in future. In this unique decision, all eight municipal grammar schools in Aachen have opted to switch to nine years (G9).
The Department of Children, Youth and Schools (FB 45) currently assumes that around 930 additional pupils will be attending grammar schools in Aachen as a result.
All municipal grammar schools were examined from this perspective. As a first step, four grammar schools will be expanded through structural measures in order to accommodate the expected increase in the number of pupils.
Design and façade
A single-storey structure of the same dimensions will be built on top of the existing administration and special classroom wing.
The extension is a timber construction. The new façade protrudes slightly above the existing building and alternates between vertical base and top formwork and horizontal tongue and groove formwork. The timber is pre-greyed.
Wood-aluminum windows form a ribbon façade with light-colored blind panels that come alive with the sculptural wood cladding. External blinds are installed and the walls are built using timber panel construction.
The existing façades are designed as bands across the entire width of the building and finished with light gray ETICS. The two areas stand out from each other due to their different design.
Floor plan and interior design
The extension is accessed from the main classroom wing. A circular corridor surrounds a large learning center, the inner courtyard and two differentiation rooms. The other rooms are oriented towards the outside.
Another differentiation room is located between the new staircase and the learning center with a view of the cafeteria.
The floor plan is divided into three fire compartments to allow for many wood-visible surfaces.
With the exception of the technical rooms, all rooms will have suspended ceilings with acoustic effectiveness. Classrooms and course rooms will be fitted with sound-absorbing wooden slat walls at the rear.
Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in the City of Aachen's construction projects. The exemplary function as a public building owner, the desire for healthy buildings and economical and ecological operation over the entire service life lead to requirements that go far beyond those of an energy-efficient building.
Planning should therefore be based on the following assessment criteria:
The extension must be responsibly aligned with the principles of future construction