German School Madrid, Spain, 2009

The competition site in the north of Madrid lies at the transition between the developed urban landscape and a nature reserve. Topographically, the plot of land is characterised by gentle slopes rising in various directions. A key factor in the deliberations behind the design and outward appearance of the complex is the almost triangular shape of the site. It sets the tone for an autonomous composition which gives the school grounds their unmistakable character. Point of reference is the motif of a terraced village in which each building is both independent yet at the same time part of an organic whole.

The notion of transition from dense development to open landscape is made tangible by the layout of pathways on the site. As with urbanistic planning, the aim is to give the architectural form a consistency which exemplifies the ensemble concept. To this end, an outer shell of pigmented reinforced-concrete elements spans the surfaces of all façades. Thanks to the offset relief-like structure of the visible surfaces, the elements combine to give the appearance of an interwoven network. Depending on the building grid – defined by the function of the building in question – the mesh of this network expands horizontally to varying degrees. The diversity within this system of façades serves to distinguish each building and make it clearly recognisable. The notion of transition from dense development to open landscape is made tangible by the layout of pathways on the site. As with urbanistic planning, the aim is to give the architectural form a consistency which exemplifies the ensemble concept. To this end, an outer shell of pigmented reinforced-concrete elements spans the surfaces of all façades. Thanks to the offset relief-like structure of the visible surfaces, the elements combine to give the appearance of an interwoven network. Depending on the building grid – defined by the function of the building in question – the mesh of this network expands horizontally to varying degrees. The diversity within this system of façades serves to distinguish each building and make it clearly recognisable.