german-language high school, fribourg, competition

client :

city of fribourg

programme :

48 classrooms, 3 sports halls

dates :

competition may 2009

sia 116 volume :

46’000 m3

collaboration :

virdis architecture, fribourg

through its position, the new school echoes both the geometries and the alternating pattern of occupied and vacant spaces already present in the neighbourhood. through its dimensions, it aims to create a dialogue with the buildings nearby; the external space around the entrance is clearly oriented towards the park, the area’s “green lung”. making the most of an internal organisation based on half-levels, the building fits into the natural slope of the site and produces separate outdoor spaces that can be allocated to the different school entities. the flow of the wooded park, which maintains the site’s natural downward slope, is given preference over the current layout of terracing and embankments.

function

siting a new building to be used for cultural and sporting as well as educational purposes in immediate proximity to the church of st thérèse affirms the identity of the place as a focal point of the neighbourhood, and hints at possible synergies. the internal arrangement of the building allows for the assembly hall, library, sports hall and covered parking area to be used outside school hours. the organisation in half-levels facilitates the transitions between different activities and produces a branched route for movement around the building, as well as horizontal visual relationships between levels.