2003, Hermetsbüel school house, Hittnau, 1st prize

2412 2Aerni
Ortho v2

Less is more. Conversion and extension of the school building Hermetsbüel, Hittnau, Switzerland, 2002–2003

The sloping terrain, the wide-ranging room program and the limited investment options of the municipality of Hittnau determine the location as well as the layout and sectional solution of this extension building.

 

Grundriss v2
Conversion and extension of the school building Hermetsbüel, Hittnau 2002–2003. Ground floor plan.
IMG 0918
Schnitt2 v2
Conversion and extension of the school building Hermetsbüel, Hittnau 2002–2003. Longitudinal section.
Schnitt3 v2
Conversion and extension of the school building Hermetsbüel, Hittnau 2002–2003. Cross section.

The building forms the end of a terrain edge. Four classrooms with two group rooms in between form a teaching unit, which is accessed via a separate staircase.
Thanks to this floor plan structure, it has been possible to minimise the access areas and to create classrooms with double-sided daylight on both floors. Each room has direct access to the courtyards, which can be used as open-air classrooms.

 

2412 1Aerni
2414 3Aerni
2317 3Aerni
2318 3Aerni
2321 1Aerni
2321 3Aerni

Address
Hermetsbüelweg 18, 8335 Hittnau, Switzerland

Project competition by invitation 2000, planning application 2002, execution 2002–2003

Ownership/ builder
Community of Hittnau

Room program
Classrooms, ancillary rooms, schoolyards

Architecture & project team
Patrick Gmür, Jakob Steib, Maya Gunz