The G8/G9 expansion for the return of grammar schools to the Abitur after year 13 is in full swing in Aachen. This is particularly evident in Burtscheid these days. A new floor is currently being built on the so-called science wing at the Rhein-Maas-Gymnasium there. The new floor is a real eye-catcher: the new storey is a timber construction.

Large prefabricated wooden panel walls are currently being erected. Together with prefabricated ceilings and floors, a weatherproof shell can be created in a short space of time. The wall panels are up to ten meters long and 3.20 meters high. In order to ensure a smooth and safe process, the city had to completely close the Rhein-Maas-Straße in the area of the construction site. The school is accessible above and below the construction site. The interior work will begin next year. The wooden façade will then also be installed from spring 2026. In order to provide barrier-free access, the building management is also currently having a new elevator built on the building. The large staff room on the first floor also had to be rebuilt. This is where the timber shell is located.

The refurbishment and extension project at the RMG is a very special project for the municipal building management department - and timber construction was chosen quite deliberately. "We decided to build the new storey in timber panel construction for reasons of the statics of the existing building, to shorten the construction time on site and to build sustainably with a renewable raw material," explains Georg Platen, Deputy Team Leader "Project Management" and RMG Project Manager in the municipal building management department. "In terms of design, we wanted to make the wood visible both inside and out," continues Platen.

Sustainability is generally playing an increasingly important role in Aachen's construction projects. As a public building owner, the city aims to act as a role model and create healthy buildings that can be operated economically and ecologically over their entire service life.

The façade will have wood cladding in a natural color scheme with large openings. The windows are planned as wood-aluminum windows with external sun protection. The individual learning areas are grouped around the inner courtyard and around so-called cluster areas. These replace the classic corridor zones and can also be used for furniture. The interiors will have wooden surfaces on the walls, acoustic ceilings in bright white and a colored linoleum floor. A photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof. Ventilation will be provided by a ventilation system with heat recovery. The plans were drawn up by Aachen-based Hahn Helten Architekten. A total of around eleven million is currently being invested in the Rhein-Maas-Gymnasium.

The new floor will create eight classrooms, two differentiation rooms, a multifunctional room and an open learning center, as well as toilets and ancillary rooms. An elevator will also be installed to ensure barrier-free access to all rooms. The specialist rooms on the first floor have already been renovated. The construction site is due to be completed in summer 2026. This will mark the end of an exciting construction phase at Rhein-Maas-Gymnasium, which will be brought into line with school operations in the best possible way thanks to good coordination and many agreements.

In addition to the Rhein-Maas-Gymnasium, the Couven-Gymnasium and the Inda-Gymnasium are also being prepared for the switch from G8 to G9. Planning is currently underway for the inner-city grammar school St. Leonhard. Once all four schools have been expanded, over 500 additional children and young people will be able to attend the four grammar schools.

Further information on the extension and renovation of the Rhein-Maas-Gymnasium can be found here.