Schule Unterfeld (Primary School)
Lauterach, Austria
Elmar K. Ludescher

Simplicity and transparency figure prominently in this conversion

© Bruno Klomfar

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Recent additions to the original 1960’s school include a new entrance hall, a third story, and a sunken gymnasium. The solid track entrance hall was pulled down and replaced with a lighter version made out of glass walls and a timber roof. This area now functions as a connecting piece holding together the two school wings, as well as a gathering area for special events. Moreover, its transparency provides a view through the building into the interior courtyard.

The sunken gymnasium was sited at the northern end of the premises, forming, together with the other buildings, a shield from the noise originating from a nearby street, creating a quiet zone in the central school courtyard.

The addition of a third story on top of the existing two wings represents a further phase in the conversion. A westward extension of the wings results in the buildings interlocking with the connecting section, i.e., the entrance hall. This additional space now houses the school’s cloakrooms and sanitary facilities. Its cement front is "perforated," resulting in plays of light and shade in ever-changing patterns.

Because of its light weight, its high load-bearing capacity, and availability in prefabricated components, wood, sometimes combined with steel, was used for the ceilings in the addition. Using a wooden "multibox" construction, it was possible to fabricate the entrance hall’s ceiling—a span of just over 32 feet—with a wooden element only eleven inches thick.

Formal name of Project:
Schule Unterfeld (Primary School) - conversion/expansion

Location:
Lauterach, Austria

Owner:
Municipality of Lauterach, Austria

Architect:
Elmar K. Ludescher
Schulstrasse 27
6923 Lauterach - Austria
0043-5574-84200 phone + fax
elmar.ludescher@aon.at