Basel-based Swiss architects Brandenberger Kloter Architekten have created a primary school building on the existing Sonnhalde campus in the centre of Aarwangen in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Seamless in-situ concrete is used as the primary construction and facade material, in keeping with the existing 1960s buildings. A deep incision in the building at ground floor level marks the entrance, with a large entrance hall leading to the library, kindergarten and workrooms on the ground floor, and classrooms on the upper floors.
Offset staircases in opposite directions allow for a variety of views, and the classrooms feature large windows that can be used as seating alcoves.
Robust and sustainable materials are used throughout, such as industrial parquet on the upper floors, oak and ash wood panelling, and black polished asphalt on the ground floor and stairs. Concrete ceilings are left exposed, regulating the climate in the summer months, and acoustics are managed by covering walls with perforated timber or wood veneer and shelving. Photo © Basile Bornand. Brandenberger Kloter
