Swiss architectural firm Haller Gut Architekten has finalized a new extension for a school in Aeschi, Switzerland, featuring vibrant interiors and a façade clad in slender white wooden planks. 

The extension adds both educational and administrative spaces to the existing school, which was originally comprised of four separate buildings constructed in different eras. Rather than erecting a new standalone structure, Haller Gut Architekten opted to connect two of these existing buildings, positioned at a right angle to one another. This approach seamlessly infills the gap between them, creating a unified enclosure for the school’s courtyard. 

Marc Haller, co-founder of Haller Gut Architekten, noted, “This approach connects the two existing buildings and creates a coherent school environment internally. Furthermore, all three buildings can now be accessed by a single lift without thresholds.” 

The new addition enhances circulation within the existing campus while housing administrative offices on the ground floor and classrooms along with a cloakroom on the first floor. The extension’s inner edge curves to enclose the courtyard, providing sheltered access on the ground level and expansive views of the upper-floor classrooms through large windows. 

On the ground floor, substantial windows with closed ventilation sashes frame views and flood the administration areas with natural light. For the classrooms above, ribbon-like windows offer distant views. 

Constructed with a combination of concrete slabs, exposed brickwork, and timber columns and beams, the extension features classrooms where the brickwork has been painted white and timber elements remain exposed. This design choice creates a neutral backdrop for the occasional splashes of color in pale green window frames and bright yellow coat hooks. “The wooden supporting structure of the roof contributes to a warm atmosphere within the classrooms and integrates the lighting within its spaces,” Haller explained. 

The extension’s exterior is clad in vertical wooden planks with curved ends, presenting a scalloped edge that imparts a “light and delicate” appearance, complementing the adjacent historical buildings. 

Read More: https://homendecormagazine.com/