Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Secondary School Ratingen

A green classroom for music is one of the many examples of the implementation of the new educational concepts. The implementation of learning clusters, the creation of open learning landscapes and the design of a protected outdoor area for the young lower school pupils are further components of a future-oriented new school building.

As part of a Europe-wide VgV procedure in 2017, SSP was awarded the contract for the object planning for the modernization, conversion and extension of the Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker-Gymnasium by the building management of the city of Ratingen.

The subject of the challenging construction task is the extension of the existing school complex with a new building for 12 classes and 2 music rooms as well as the modernization and conversion of the existing school building including a triple sports hall with the aim of developing a coherent, identity-creating overall complex.

The new building to extend the school will be constructed as a three-storey building block on the east side of the building. The two upper floors will have a widened corridor zone, which is reflected in the shape of the building and can be used by the users as an open learning and recreation zone. The connection to the existing building is made via a bridge on the second floor.

The building shape, zoning and proportions are naturally based on the urban figure of the very striking existing building. A modern interpretation of the materiality nevertheless creates a self-confident independence.

"New school in the old building" was once again the guiding principle for the modernization of the existing building. In the interior, only the statically necessary load-bearing structure was retained in order to bring the school up to a sustainable standard.