Rudolf Steiner School, Vienna (AT)
New building,
Further construction
Client: Rudolf Steiner Schulverein
Location: A-1230 Vienna, Endresstraße 113
Architecture: Dietrich Untertrifaller and Andreas Breuss
Competition: 2014, 1. prize
Construction: 2022 – 2024
Area: 3,125 m²
Programme: 4 main classes, gym, exercise room, workrooms, kindergarten, after-school care centre, school restaurant
Photos: Kurt Hoerbst, Dietrich Untertrifaller (construction site)
Team
Franca Bierich, Harald Eder, Tobias Indermühle (Project management), Andreas Laimer, Michael Porath, Gregor Ribarich, Julian Roiser, Mia Schury, Jakob Straub, Fabio Verber
Text: Gerlinde Jüttner
Partners
Statics concrete: Gerhard Gschwandtl ZT, Vienna
Statics timber: KPZT – Kurt Pock Tragwerksplanung, Klagenfurt
Building services, electricis: Immo- Objekttechnik, Vienna
Building physics: Dr Pfeiler ZT, Graz
Fire protection: Hoyer, Vienna
Landscape: Carla Lo, Vienna
An identity-forming ensemble of old and new
The Rudolf Steiner School in the Maurer Schlössl, founded in 1964, is Austria's oldest Waldorf school. The lower school and after-school care centre were housed in a small old building opposite, which could no longer meet the requirements of a modern school: poor building fabric, too few and too small classrooms, no gymnasium.
The new building blends harmoniously with the existing historical building - we have avoided any sharp breaks between old and new. The auditorium, the dining hall with garden orientation, the sunlit, sunken gymnasium, the after-school care centre, the kindergarten and the roof terrace form the main elements of the clearly structured room programme.
The majority of the remodelling and extension work was concentrated on the southern side facing away from the street. On the street side, the character of the old building was retained and visually enhanced. The small extensions at the rear were demolished and replaced with spacious, naturally lit foyers and access areas. The new building with gymnasium and classrooms adjoins the rear garden in an L-shape. Its large, dark roof extends onto the existing building and is therefore also visible from the street.
A creative learning environment
We have moved the entrance to the school from the courtyard to the west side. The foyer, kindergarten, dining hall and school kitchen are located on the ground floor of the old building, with special classrooms and teachers' rooms above and a eurythmy room on the first floor. The new building houses four classrooms with small group rooms and their own cloakrooms on the first floor, with further classes above with a roof terrace for open-air lessons.
The flexible room concept creates a creative learning environment with a maximum of variable functions and applications: Learning, play, social or workshop zones can be freely designed and adapted to the respective needs. The central access and the clear separation of functions in the interior result in logical processes and facilitate orientation. The high level of transparency of the new building not only incorporates the outside space into everyday school life, but also promotes communication within the building.
These rooms are accessed via a pergola, from which stairs lead to the garden. At the same time, the pergola serves as structural sun protection and as a lounge and communication area for the classrooms.
The classrooms are arranged along the pergolas and offer flexible uses. Together with the wood, the clay walls ensure a healthy indoor climate.
The gymnasium
Almost the entire basement and ground floor of the new building is taken up by the gymnasium, which is generously lit by natural light via ribbon windows and offers exciting views in and out. Thanks to its own access, the gymnasium can also be used outside of school.
Innovative timber and clay construction
The new building was constructed in timber using ribbed and hollow box elements, with natural insulation materials such as straw, wood or hemp as thermal protection. The timber construction elements can be easily dismantled and recycled.
The excavated material on site was used for the clay surfaces. The interior is finished with clay building boards and plastered clay surfaces. These building materials have low production energy and are available regionally. Excavated material from the site was used for the clay surfaces. The aim was to create a largely chemical-free interior.
