Carl-Bolle Elementary School / Die Baupiloten

Project Type:
Architecture

Project Mission/Goal:
1) improve the human spirit
2) increase awareness of the environment and/or address climate change

Project Description:
The Baupiloten are a group of students at the Institute for Architecture within the Berlin Technical University’s Department for Planning, Construction, and the Environment. Under the leadership of architect Susanne Hofmann AA dipl, the Baupiloten conduct their studies through the realization of actual building measures. The students experience the architectural curriculum as a praxis-oriented ideal and take part in all phases of design and construction.

In the process of converting Carl Bolle Elementary into a full-time school, the Baupiloten have installed a leisure area in the landmarked building in order to allow the children a rhythmical exchange between learning and free time. As a result, the school is not only an educational institution but also living space.

The Baupiloten invited the students to workshops in order to learn about their ideas and desires regarding the redesigning of the school. The story of the “Spy with the shimmering cloak” emerged from these workshops, eventually becoming the “storyboard” for the design of a spacious hallway that had previously been inaccessible. In accordance with the school’s own sports-oriented motto of “language and movement”, the hallway was converted into a leisure area that encourages “exploratory learning”. Through experiencing the architecture and newly created optical and acoustic space, the children can track down the “spy” while also learning about the process of scientific observation in a playful environment. They can move along climbing walls, observe space from different perspectives, or find some alone time in the various reading hatches. While the students helped develop the ideas, the Baupiloten were there to encourage their curiosity and exploratory spirit. The fixtures/installations appear as a snowy landscape within the building, lightly adorning and disguising the preexisting furnishings while simultaneously allowing parts of the original structure shine through. Under the white surface, various parts of the installation shimmer red, blue, or green, delineating its different areas.

Links and Captions:
http://www.archdaily.com/26552/carl-bolle-elementary-school-die-baupilot...
http://www.archdaily.com/26552/carl-bolle-elementary-school-die-baupilot...
http://www.archdaily.com/26552/carl-bolle-elementary-school-die-baupilot...

Project Details:
Project Location: Berlin, Germany
Date(s):
Project Phase: Completed
Client: Carl-Bolle Elementary School : Jahn, Mack und Partner
User Client:
Description and Number of Beneficiaries/Users: School Children
Major Funding:
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Die Baupiloten
Project Architect(s)/Designer(s): Die Baupiloten
Structural Engineers:
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Contractor/Manufacturer:
Additional Consultants:
Total Cost/Cost per Unit:
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Photo/Image Credit(s)
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Nominated by Vasilios

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