The school complex in the Catalonian town of Sabadell was not on the historic registry, yet it possessed a certain charm, and the architects wanted to include it in their renovation. That explains why they kept and refurbished a major portion of the grade school, which dates to 1959 and has cap vaults and exposed brickwork on the side facing the street.
The design creates several new zones for playing outdoors, the largest of them on the roof of the existing building, which was structurally upgraded and can be reached via an additional stair. From here, in the shade of a sun sail the children can survey the city. At the entrance – the school complex’s hub – a new lobby area provides information and a sense of orientation.
The appealing juxtaposition of old brick walls, new steel columns, and concrete block walls is particularly evident here. The most important intervention, however, is the expansion of the main wing on the south side of the courtyard. Though not required by the competition brief, it was this proposal that convinced the jury.
The design creates several new zones for playing outdoors, the largest of them on the roof of the existing building, which was structurally upgraded and can be reached via an additional stair. From here, in the shade of a sun sail the children can survey the city. At the entrance – the school complex’s hub – a new lobby area provides information and a sense of orientation.
The appealing juxtaposition of old brick walls, new steel columns, and concrete block walls is particularly evident here. The most important intervention, however, is the expansion of the main wing on the south side of the courtyard. Though not required by the competition brief, it was this proposal that convinced the jury.