Gesamtschule Nord+ Polyvalent school

In Kassel, we propose to widen the bed of the Ahne, a canalized river that connects different green spaces in the city, to make it a real park structuring the urban project. Porous and permissive, the new school is thought in its crossing dimension between park and forest. Organized in three main buildings to the south of the park, it radiates towards the large landscape entities: the nursery school and the nursery towards the forest to the east; the library towards the river to the west; and finally the elementary school and the specialized rooms towards the park to the north. An exterior gallery connects the three buildings and serves all the common spaces. A real signal and meeting place between the different classes, it contributes to the students' feeling of belonging to the same group. It’s also the starting point for a vertical ascent to the two planted roofs: a small wood on one, a vegetable garden and sports area on the other. Designed as a unifying and inclusive facility, the school is intended for all the inhabitants of the neighborhood. The first floors are open and reversible spaces - foyer, canteen, library, workshop - directly linked to the public space and able to host various events during extracurricular time.