ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
The flooring in the entrance hall, corridors, and stairwells consists of light beige terrazzo, a tone that is echoed in the rubber flooring of the classrooms.
Classroom walls are finished in white plaster, while the exposed concrete ceilings are executed to a high surface quality. Standardized acoustic performance is achieved through the use of colorful felt baffles arranged in a diamond-shaped pattern.
Standardized acoustic performance is achieved through the use of colorful felt baffles arranged in a diamond-shaped pattern.
The new preschool( Building E) is designed as a separate structure, both spatially and architecturally, giving it a distinct identity suited to younger children. Outdoor play areas will be located within a quiet garden courtyard, protected from school activities. In addition, the three group rooms for children aged three to four each include southfacing patios for outdoor play. Upper-floor group rooms are also oriented to the south and may be complemented by loggias. The rooms are sized to accommodate flexible uses, including sleeping areas as well as cooking and dining spaces.
Materiality, facade design, and artwork
The brick facades of the new buildings are coordinated with the color tones of the existing plaster and natural stone. For reasons of quality and durability, solid facing brickwork was chosen. The window design of the new buildings reflects the proportions of the historic structure, while the masonry follows its established compositional principles. To emphasize this structure, the bricks of the parapets and the balustrades of the new buildings have been laid in a random bond and finished flush with the surface. In contrast, the masonry of the ground-floor piers and the wall sections between window openings are vertically articulated, with cross joints expressed in a relief-like manner. This interplay creates a pronounced three-dimensionality, giving the new buildings a distinctive and materially authentic character.
The soffits in the corridor areas are clad in wood. Selected solid walls and parts of the window areas there feature artistic designs in a watercolor style, predominantly in blue and orange. In the open stairwell, the motif of a kingfisher – a bird typical of the region – is incorporated into a composition of abstract elements such as blotches and droplets. This creates a dynamic and lively visual effect, conveying lightness and transparency while complementing the architecture and reinforcing a sense of identity.
Energy concept The energy concept is designed to minimize maintenance requirements by focusing on the building’ s primary energy needs. These are met in part through natural ventilation of the interior spaces. To support this, a climate-adaptive window system(“ Parieto system”) is integrated into the facade, supplying cooled fresh air to the rooms during summer. In winter, air preheated by solar gain flows into the building through the cavity between the panes. Fans on the roof regulate the airflow. In addition, solar panels installed on the flat roofs of the new buildings contribute to on-site energy generation.
Technical sheet Project address: 23, rue Michel Lentz, 4209 Esch-sur- Alzette, Luxembourg Client: City of Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg Architects: JSWD, Cologne in cooperation with Jim Clemes Associates, Esch / Alzette Artwork on the buildings: Daniel Mac Lloyd Building technology: Betic Ingénieurs-Conseils Structural engineering: AuCARRE Photo credit: JSWD / Franco Casaccia / Andres Lejona
jswd. de
Externally, the window profiles are made of bronzecolored anodized aluminum. Inside, oak is used, matching other interior wood elements such as window sills, cabinetry, and fittings.
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