Kaiserslautern

Vogelweh Elementary School

Strong structure and internal quality.

A US property area of 52,000 m2 was available in the southwest of Kaiserslautern. The project took place on 15,500 m2 gross floor area. In the course of earthworks and site modeling, PORR Government Services removed 200,000 t of soil. PORR Government Services used around one third of the excavated soil for the redesign of the area. PORR Government Services disposed of the remaining 120,000 t that had resulted to be partially contaminated.

Sustainability and safety first

Respecting the US military sustainability goals in this project, PORR Government Services utilized regionally available building materials with a high proportion of recycled material. The concrete, for example, contains 97% recycled materials. Additionally, the colors of all surfaces were light-colored to make the rooms more friendly to the students. Even the rainwater drainage is sustainable: The water runs into underground buffer tanks and seeps into the ground. The rainwater from the roofs is then used for irrigation of the green areas. Green roofs also support water management and improve the microclimate. The project received LEED Silver certification. 

In addition to sustainability considerations, the focus for U.S. military buildings is on safety. PORR Government Services therefore opted for a monolithic reinforced concrete construction for the school. The glass facades and the windows have reinforcement steel structures, and special 3-pane safety glazing. Finally, all ceiling suspensions carry additional security features to them.

Construction challenge 

The building complex is also impressive on the inside. The Commons, a large common area, forms the heart of the school and is accessible from all major parts of the building. The main entrance is located on the northeast side. Access controls are also located there, as well as the administrative area and information center. Modeled after an amphitheater, an eye-catcher of the building is the green classroom outside. The generously glazed northwest facade opens the school to the outside and serves as an entrance. Great craftsmanship was required of the team who completed the formwork on the integrated curved stage tower with a beveled top edge. Special approval was required for the arrangement of the attached clay tiles on the exterior and interior facades.

The design for The Neighborhoods, the adjoining buildings on campus, has a similar design as the one for the main building. The common area, which consists of several learning studios, is a multifunctional meeting place. The studios are extendable into this area as desired using mobile partition walls. The children have access to group and individual rooms, art and music rooms, as well as a spacious gymnasium. In view of the large kitchen that complies with U.S. hygiene standards, no one is sure to go hungry here either.