When it comes to setting the mood of interior spaces in schools, tasserball architects see the decisive factor - beyond just room acoustics - as the interaction of the lighting with the mix of materials and colours of the design concept. Buildings for young children, in particular, should make it easy for the pupils to find their way around and give them a sense of privacy so that they feel at home. Furthermore, modern approaches to education require open-plan learning areas and a degree of transparency between the classrooms.
As a pedagogical concept, this is summed up in the title: The Moving School. It is based on the principle of “everywhere is a learning space”. This means that pupils receive introductory teaching in the group and are then allowed to find their own place to study or work. For this reason, the areas between the classrooms have been designed with generous proportions and equipped with flexible furniture. The task of the architect was to ensure that good lighting is available everywhere. At the same time, the school principal wanted to have a lighting scheme that conveys warmth and “feels like home”.
The approach therefore taken by the architects and lighting planners, to respond to the various spatial situations and requirements, was to use a uniform product family. Special points of focus, such as seating groups, are accentuated by the novel pendant luminaire NOD, which can be tilted and rotated, while integrated recessed luminaires in the wooden ceilings are unobtrusive and restrained in terms of size and shape. The majority of the LITO profiles installed produce both direct and indirect lighting and thus generate an almost intangible feel good factor.
The ability of lighting to do so much more than just ensure the required illuminance has been clearly expressed by the architects, in particular through the skilful combination with the dominant wood surfaces, where the lighting has a significant impact on creating a positive environment.
Josef Watschinger, principal Grundschule St. Martin
A school, like every other building, should always reflect the zeitgeist and be matched to contemporary needs, both in terms of building construction and interior equipment. On the other hand, a building must arouse emotions - all the more so when it is animated by children - through the configuration of the rooms, the views inside and out, the material surfaces, the furnishings and both pleasant acoustics and good lighting. The fundamental needs of the pupils, to feel both comfortable and good, as well as have a stimulating environment, will always be crucially important.
