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School in Switzerland Built with Materials of Low Environmental Impact

By • Jul 20, 2018

In the year 2017, the architects Basil Spiess, Silvia Weibel Hendriksen, Martin Zimmerli, David Brunner and Angelika Marxer working for the architectural firm Skop completed this project of an educational center located in a residential district in Port, Switzerland. In total, it covers an area of approximately 3570 square meters.

Aerial view of the construction

With its characteristic folded roof structure, the school makes a reference to the sloping roofs of the surrounding houses, the rural history of the region, and the gentle hills of the Jura Mountains. Located on a gentle slope, the building takes advantage of the topography and links several outdoor spaces according to the different access routes of schoolchildren. While the ground floor is used for administration of the faculty, workshops, a school kitchen and the back of the rooms of the house, the first floor consists of nine classrooms and three kindergarten units.

View of the main facade

The superior rooms naturally benefit from the spatial qualities of the folded roof. Each classroom seems to be an independent house, creating a cozy and homelike environment for children.

Side façade with wooden walls

The main structure of the school is a prefabricated wooden construct. Wood is used as the only construction material, and is also present in the façade and interior. All the wood used comes from sustainable forestry. The other construction materials are non-toxic disposable products with low environmental impact.

View of the units in which the construction is divided
Interior with concrete walls and floors
Aerial view of the construction
View of the main facade
Side façade with wooden walls
View of the units in which the construction is divided
Interior with concrete walls and floors


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