2003, Scherr School, Zurich

2198 3 Aerni v2
SHS v2

It's pretty colourful in here.

Conversion and extension of the Scherr School, Zurich, Switzerland, 2000–2003

Among the first spaces taken into possession by children, there is the school building – in addition to the nursery and the parental apartment. That's why planning and building a schoolhouse is one of the most beautiful architectural tasks.

2332 1Aerni v3

The task was contradictory. On the one hand, the school complex in the schoolyard had to be extended. On the other hand, there was a lack of additional playground areas. Like a children's town, we organised the school around an indoor break hall. Various places, stairs and hidden paths allow the children to use their house individually.

EG v7
Conversion and extension of the Scherr school house building, Zurich 2000–2003. Ground floor plan.
Aerni Halle Beton 01 LR v2
OG
Conversion and extension of the Scherr school house building, Zurich 2000–2003. Upper floor plan.
Schnitte
Conversion and extension of the Scherr school house building, Zurich 2000–2003. Sections.

Four strong colours characterize the robust access areas. The classrooms and group rooms stand in strong colour contrast to these, and, as a stage for teaching and learning, they are restrainedly painted in the colour scales black, white and grey.

2195 1 Aerni v3
2197 1B Aerni v3
2190 1 Aerni
2186 1 Aerni v4
2186 3 Aerni v3
2189 3 Aerni v3

Address
Stapferstrasse 48/54, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland

Study contract by invitation 1997, execution 2000–2003

Builder/ owner
City of Zurich

Room program
Classrooms, schoolyard/ playground, renovation of the indoor gym

Architecture
Patrick Gmür

Project team
Michael Geschwentner, Barbara Ruppeiner, Alessandre Boggia, Fränzi Plüss, Peter Roesch