Shibukawa Eder Architects: senior high school

The Vienna-based studio has designed a school complex where a myriad courtyards link internal spaces, to a striking effect. With optimal thermal and acoustic isolation, the building is one of the first sustainable schools in Austria.

Vienna-based studio Shibukawa Eder Architects have completed a senior high school in Neulengbach, Austria, which successfully merges the inside and outside spaces. Offering various types of outdoor gardens and roof terraces for different activities, the complex features six small courtyards on the ground floor and two large courtyards on the first floor, all of which are spatially and visually connected.

As a result, the building is invaded by natural light and there is a constant connection to the outdoors. Each of the courtyards in the ground floor faces a different space — the cafeteria, multifunctional room, chemistry or biology class — which is in designed with a different theme, and can be used as additional external classroom or recreation space.

Classrooms on the first floor face South, benefiting from optimum light conditions and acoustically isolated from the noise of passing trains along the north side of the building. Students approach the school from the promenade along the southern façade where a landscape with trees and seating areas has been designed. The building has also been planned to be used by the community of Neulengbach for various activities. Therefore, there are two entrances along the promenade and the rooms are organized in such a way that they can be divided flexibly for multifunctional use.

Shibukawa Eder Architects, <em>senior high school</em> in Neulengbach, Austria — Shibukawa Eder Architects, *senior high school* in Neulengbach, Austria

This school is one of the first ecologically sustainable schools in Austria. The building fulfills the Austrian standard for low energy consumption, using a heat recovery ventilation system, a geothermal heat pump system, outside sun protection and superior energy saving insulation. The structural system uses a 12 metre span precast concrete ceiling, which creates large spaces free from supporting columns, enabling flexible spatial organization and possible modifications in the future.

Shibukawa Eder Architects, Senior High School in Neulengbach
Architects: Shibukawa Eder Architects
Engineering: POTYKA and Partner ZT GmbH
Contractor: Schmidt Reuter
Landscape design: Idealice
Area: 4,500 square metres
Budget: 9,000,000 €

Shibukawa Eder Architects: senior high school

The Vienna-based studio has designed a school complex where a myriad courtyards link internal spaces, to a striking effect. With optimal thermal and acoustic isolation, the building is one of the first sustainable schools in Austria.

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