ISMANING GRAMMAR SCHOOL Conversion of a conference hotel into a 4-stream grammar school

Instead of a new building, the municipality of Ismaning decided to convert the western part of the former Telekom education centre and later conference hotel at Seidl-Kreuz-Weg 11 into a 4-stream grammar school.

The site of the ISGY is close to the centre and at the same time idyllically situated in the countryside on the floodplains of the Kernbach stream, surrounded by dense tree population, in the middle of nature.
The existing open spaces of the conference center were completely cleared and redesigned for school use. Around the core-renovated existing building - embedded in the landscape - varied open spaces have been created to meet the diverse requirements of students and teachers.

A carpet of large-format concrete slabs defines the clearly structured entrance area in the north and continues to the south in intensively designed terraces. The lounge areas with light umbrella-shaped trees in seating podiums connect directly to the glass facades of the assembly hall, refectory and function room and link the interior and exterior spaces. Steel troughs, seating elements and wooden decks as defining design elements were specially designed for this location.

The largely enclosed inner courtyard of the school wing is designed as a "green classroom". Planting areas with evergreen grasses, flowering shrubs and loosely arranged multi-stemmed small trees, bordered by long seating walls, create a recreational area with a quiet atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of the library. Teachers and students alike appreciate the intimacy of the courtyard, which is therefore popular as a podium and outdoor gathering space.

The design of the school courtyard to the west takes the finger-like vegetation structure of the former parking lot and reinforces it with seating walls to zone the large open space. This creates niches and subspaces with play and sports facilities that can be used in a variety of ways, while at the same time existing trees can be preserved. The interlocking with nature is also reflected in the pavement, which becomes increasingly greener towards the outside and merges into near-natural meadows. Surface water seeps into planted gravel hollows. A low ropes course is carefully integrated into the tree-lined area. The bank area of the Kernbach is included in the use. Seating steps in the embankment lead down to the water and open the view into the landscape.

That a "green" school can function despite intense pressure to use is evident shortly after school begins. The seating steps by the stream soon develop into favourite places. With found natural materials is tinkered and built. The children have arrived quickly and have appropriated the open spaces. "House by the stream" is what they call their school.

Planning: 2015-2018
Construction period: April 2017- September 2018 (2 construction phases)
Open space: approx. 11,500 m²
Architects: Felix and Jonas (LPH 3-8)

Executing companies:
Hallertauer Landschaft
Fitter Eibel
Carpenter Ilmberger