Redesign of Sophie Barat School, Hamburg-Rotherbaum Outdoor classrooms near the Alster

The Sophie Barat School of the Archdiocese of Hamburg is located right in the city center. During the renovation of the barrier-free schoolyard, which is part of the school's old building, the focus was on a diverse use of the space to create a sense of well-being. Various play and recreational areas with more greenery and outdoor classrooms have been created for the approximately 900 pupils.



The highlight of the facilities is a wooden seating area under a large beech tree. It divides the courtyard into several areas and offers an

open-air stage with light poles and spotlights, which can be used for theater or concerts. The height differences in and around the stage are designed as often as possible at seating height so that pupils can sit there in the shade under the canopy in summer.

A canteen and sports hall with underbuilt areas have been created in the basement of the new building. These partly green, paved roof areas are designed with steps and are also used by the pupils as a break area.



There are very old existing trees in the schoolyard, which strongly characterize the image of the schoolyard. The wooden platform surrounds a 150-year-old beech tree. The aim was to protect and ideally improve the existing trees. This was achieved in close cooperation with experts by converting the adjacent asphalt surface into water-permeable paving. The water and air exchange was also improved by unsealing the area under the wooden deck. There had already been a wooden platform before, but it was much smaller. The self-supporting construction of the new stage was supported on the existing concrete foundation.



The students were involved in the redesign process and had requested expressive seating objects, among other things. Wave-shaped concrete loungers were placed on a soft floor covering that contrasts with the paved surfaces. The newly created space with play benches, for which containers were moved, now offers opportunities to play and move around.