SCHOOL CENTER HELDMANSKAMP – EXTENSION OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL LEMGO

The competition entry is the result of an internal dialogue between existing urban design, a student-friendly and appealing architecture, and the inclusion of the existing high-quality outdoor spaces. The restructuring of the property of the Heldmannskamp school center benefits the quality and internal structure of the school grounds. After demolition of the existing structure and repositioning of the historic concrete mushrooms, the existing visual axes and pathway relationships must be strengthened in the sense of the historic urban development concept. Through a targeted positioning of a square new building and compact volumes, the design creates a homogeneous structural order on the site.
This creates a protected and at the same time inviting campus, which continues to serve the public as an inner-city square away from the school.

The landmarked plant troughs, raised beds, stepped plants and mushroom roofs between the refectory and the secondary school have a high identity potential and will be preserved.
The new open space elements fit into the spatial context as an independent layer with a new polygonal design language.
Green islands structure the hitherto empty and largely sealed areas and offer a wide range of possibilities for staying and using the space without obstructing important lines of sight and routes. This creates a small-scale spatial structure that allows for a variety of activities and games. Additional planting beds emphasize the entrance areas and facilitate orientation.
The green islands are planted with certified regional extensive perennial mixes and trees adapted to climate change, and reduce the amount of rainwater to be drained. They are enclosed with seating walls, and in selected areas, square wooden decks of varying heights invite students to chill out or can function as a stage. The mushrooms removed for the new building find a new use here and protect the lounge areas from sun and rain.
The urban setting of the new building forms two equal entrances from Kleiststraße. They are accompanied by the garbage site on Kleiststraße and the new bicycle parking facilities, which are structured by green spaces, hedges and trees. Additional bicycle parking will be provided at the entrances to each school.
Sealing will be reduced to the necessary extent and, where possible, will be carried out with water-permeable ashlar pavements.
The rainwater accumulating on the paved areas will be drained into adjacent green areas. The remaining areas will be drained into a stormwater retention basin or infiltration trenches via underground pipes.
The main paths in the outdoor area as well as the paths to the parking spaces and the parking spaces themselves will be well lit. Pole luminaires with directional light and insect-friendly light sources will be used.
Seating and lounging options will be provided in shaded and sunny areas.
Durable, low-maintenance materials with low primary energy use and low environmental impact will be selected for furnishings. Benches and playground equipment will be made from FSC or PEFC certified European woods with chain of custody certification.
The existing trees and vegetation areas will be preserved and integrated into the redesigned open spaces.