in the prenzlauer berg area of berlin, mono architekten has completed the design of an after-school care center for the waldorf school. the urban site poses a unique position between socialist prefabricated structures, wilhelminian style blocks and the green spaces of the nearby jewish cemetery. the existing school itself is a 5-story prefab dating back to the 1970s, which has undergone a full renovation.
all images courtesy of mono architekten
the new center and later extensions were designed by mono in a completely different style to the existing architecture. built on the school’s courtyard, the most recent intervention stretches towards the sports hall, providing the schoolyard with a structural back to the street and a clear center. the projections and recesses create different outdoor areas for various uses. the buildings received green roofs, which are inclined in different directions and, together with the rising eaves of the timber-clad façades, a sculptural impression is formed.
the after-school care center
the central access zone winds its way from the existing staircase through the newly built ground floor, accompanied by a massive clay wall. lounges, cloakrooms etc. and various outdoor exits alternate. the group rooms are behind the clay wall with a plateau above the cloakrooms with a view into the crowns of the surrounding trees.
rooftop landscape
the goal was to use natural and renewable building materials to comply with the waldorf educational idea. themed ‘school builds school’, most of the construction work was carried out by the knobelsdorff school. the coloring was created by the natural hues of mostly untreated materials. colored clay plaster, wooden floors and wall heating integrated into the outer clay walls create a pleasant atmosphere in the interiors, ensuring a healthy indoor climate.
façade renovation
the structure was made with a timber frame construction with cellulose roofs while the outer walls were filled with building straw and plastered inside with clay. the façade is made of differently sized vertical larch wood boards. the district heat is used as an energy source, feeding the wall and underground heating. decentralized exhaust systems in the cloakrooms support the manual ventilation concept.
the foyer
the cloakroom
the group room
the gallery
the terrace
detail of the terrace
the courtyard
connection to the existing building
project info:
project name: after-school care center
location: prenzlauer berg, berlin, germany
architect: mono architekten
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: lynne myers | designboom
architecture in germany (147 articles)
andreas schuring designs a monochromatic library for cologne university
designboom visits olson kundig's ANOHA new children’s museum at jewish museum berlin
elena veronese creates a vibrant environment for volkswagen startup in berlin
bez+kock architekten adds travertine extension to 17th century german museum
HGA, marc flick & christian stock build monolithic all-black house in germany
COBE completes new adidas headquarters in southern germany
school architecture and design (464 articles)
grafton architects builds a 'warehouse of ideas' for kingston university in london
valentino gareri designs a low cost modular prototype for schools in africa
vector architects completes multifunctional haibing center at china's nankai university
architecture news
treehouse hotel in bali by alexis dornier mixes tropical and industrial architecture
#architecture
architect alexis dornier has designed a series of stilted treehouses in the uplands of bali that merge tropical and industrial styles of architecture.
architect alexis dornier has designed a series of stilted treehouses in the uplands of bali that merge tropical and industrial styles of architecture.
OMA's first hotel in bali is 'conceived as a public space'
#architecture
OMA has completed its first hotel in bali, the 'desa potato head', which opens the ground and top floors for public events and activities.
OMA has completed its first hotel in bali, the 'desa potato head', which opens the ground and top floors for public events and activities.
pía mendaro-designed artist's studio in madrid has a bed suspended from its ceiling
#architecture
the lightweight, partially suspended platform is accessed via a separate movable structure – reminiscent of airplane step ladders.
the lightweight, partially suspended platform is accessed via a separate movable structure – reminiscent of airplane step ladders.
studio frank havermans designs 'social magnet' installation for shenzhen biennale
#architecture
the futuristic installation is a reinterpretation of local building elements found in the ancient village of dapeng.
the futuristic installation is a reinterpretation of local building elements found in the ancient village of dapeng.
This is a beautifully renovation so lovely eith space and light. The green roof is amazing. In urban areas we need to be able to access green rofs for views and respite – if this building allowed for the teachers and responsible children to access the roof for meditation and/or “alonel time plus raised urban garden beds for connection to the soil and plants growing- it would be even more amazing,