The design proposal for the primary school building presents a strong and compact volume oriented towards the open space of the adjacent sports grounds. Distinctive end façades, recessed entrance areas, and external staircases positioned at the building corners articulate the transition into a covered outdoor area and define the main entrance.
The school building is conceived as a flexible seasonal typology and, in reference to the urban design concept, seeks a close relationship with the surrounding outdoor space. The primary circulation, connecting all floors and functions, is located within the insulated building envelope. In addition, the two external staircases allow for an inversion of the circulation logic during the milder seasons, providing direct access to the respective school levels.
On the typical floors, two learning clusters are accessed via the central staircase and the adjoining foyer zone. Each cluster is organized around a cloakroom that forms its spatial center, around which classrooms and group rooms are arranged. The cloakrooms are also directly accessible from the outside via the external staircases, reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior spaces.
On the fourth and fifth floors, the building volume steps back on the sports field side to create a small all-weather playground. The double sports hall occupies the basement levels. The cafeteria is proposed within the existing sports hall of the Herter building. Between the new school building and the cafeteria, a generous school garden with play equipment and planting beds expands the pedagogical program.
The primary structure of the new building is designed as a pragmatic hybrid skeleton construction. Laminated beech columns support composite steel beams, which are enhanced with concrete infill to meet fire protection requirements. The secondary structure consists of cross-laminated timber beams combined with a slender concrete slab.

Team JCFA: Julian C. Fischer, Nils Franzini, Amos Mauri, Laura Schneider

Consultants: Landscape architect, Alexander Hette, Fislisbach
Strucutral engineer, Ferrari Gartmann AG, Chur

Project: Primary school

Project No.: NO 24

Procedure: Open competition, 3rd prize

Location: CH, Zurich–8047

Client: Stadt Zürich - Amt für Hochbauten, Zurich

Images: Studio Diode, Zürich