Landschlacht Primary School Extension by Lukas Imhof Architektur

The Landschlacht Primary School in Switzerland has been thoughtfully expanded by Lukas Imhof Architektur, introducing a contemporary extension that strengthens the identity, functionality, and sustainability of the existing educational complex. Completed in 2022 and spanning 3,500 m², the project enhances the partially listed school ensemble while creating an updated learning environment rooted in spatial clarity, material honesty, and ecological responsibility.

The design builds on the character of the site, which includes a historic core school building, a multipurpose hall from the 1980s and an existing kindergarten. Rather than simply adding to the existing volumes, the architects reinterpreted the brief to create a cohesive campus vision that reconfigures circulation, defines new outdoor spaces and improves the daily school experience for students and educators.

At the heart of the extension is a new main entrance that unifies the entire complex. This redesigned arrival sequence introduces a generous public forecourt that strengthens the school's identity within the town. Inside the campus, the architects shaped an intimate play and learning courtyard, offering a protected outdoor setting for younger students. A third exterior zone, conceived as a “green schoolroom”, sits beneath a majestic oak tree and supports outdoor education through nature-immersive learning.

The new building accommodates modern educational facilities including classrooms, group spaces, a library and a workroom. These interiors are designed for flexibility, improved daylight quality and functional adaptability. Large glazing areas were replaced with sensibly scaled windows that maintain abundant natural light while reducing solar gain. This deliberate approach reduces reliance on mechanical systems and supports the project's low-tech sustainable strategy.

Sustainability is integrated through passive and durable construction methods. A substantial thermal storage mass supports passive heat regulation, while night cooling and geothermal probe heating with geo-cooling ensure an energy-efficient indoor climate year-round. The extension avoids unnecessary system complexity by prioritizing material simplicity and easy-to-maintain detailing. Suspended ceilings, glued flooring and multilayered constructions were removed in favor of separable, long-lasting components. Electrical cabling is kept accessible in crawl spaces and integrated into carpentry, while ventilation ducts are cleverly incorporated within built-in furniture such as benches.

Material authenticity remains a guiding principle. The exterior walls are built using single-stone masonry with only interior and exterior render, eliminating the need for additional structural layers. This approach emphasizes permanence, minimizes embodied carbon and supports the school’s long-term adaptability.

All photographs are works of Hannes Heinzer