Renovation and Modernisation of the Erika Mann Primary School, Berlin Wedding
Susanne Hofmann
As their first project, the Baupiloten from the Technical University of Berlin, led by Susanne Hofmann, undertook the modernisation of the Erika Mann Primary School in Berlin-Wedding. Together with the schoolchildren, they developed the fictional concept of a ‘Silver Dragon’ world, which formed the basis for the playful design. The further one moves upwards into the building, the more strongly the spirit of the silver dragon can be felt: a spirit that changes, that resonates, glows and shimmers. The individual floors take up this idea in different ways: on the ground floor, ‘Stardust Diving’, plants grow over yellow-green painted metal furniture under violet light. On the first floor, ‘HauchSanftSein’, the dragon’s breath becomes appreciable through translucent ceiling veils and shimmering fabric wardrobes. On the second floor, fold-out seating areas - reminiscent of the curve of the dragon’s wing - provide space for reading, working and discussing. On the third floor, the children learn in small groups amidst glowing and metallic dragon tails. The main staircase has been designed as a musical learning trail. The theatre focussed Erika Mann Primary School, is situated in Berlin-Wedding. The school is diverse, comprising children from 25 different countries. The school’s new architecture is intended to help break down language and cultural barriers, with its wide range of activities, more firmly as an educational centre within the neighbourhood. Children, parents and the teaching staff were therefore actively involved in the construction process. The citizens’ jury of the Pankstrasse Neighbourhood Management awarded a substantial portion of its funding from the Neighbourhood Fund for Urban Development to the project. “The project offers an exemplary model of networking and cooperation between different stakeholders in the neighbourhood,” said Peter Strieder, Senator for Building, Housing, Environment and Transport.
Planning partners: Susanne Hofmann, Maximilian Assfalg, Ania Busiakiewicz, Andrea Ceaser, Fee Kyriakopoulos, Ansgar Schmitter, Irmtraut Schulze, Thilo Reich, Wojciech Wojakowski, TU Berlin FS: struct. design, fire protections, light eng., qty. surveying, building history
Client: L.I.S.T GmbH + Förderverein Erika-Mann-Grundschule (1. Construction phase), STATTBAU GmbH (2. Construction phase)
Categories: Education, Art and Culture, Building Redevelopment, Science and Research, Urban Development
Project Gallery
Flying with the dragon
the curve of the dragon’s wing - fold-out seating
Mirror Gallery
Space for leisure - ‘Flügelschwingen’
The World of the Silver Dragons, section of 1.-3. floor
‘HauchSanftSein‘, Wardrobe units with fire-resistant fabric, 1. floor
Susanne Hofmann DE
https://baupiloten.com/de
Feurigstrasse 54 | 10827 Berlin