Herne, comprehensive school Wanne-Eickel Schoolyard redesign

The schoolyard of the comprehensive school Wanne-Eickel in Herne, which was built in the 1970s, was redesigned as part of the urban redevelopment project "jetzt Wanne! The original character of the open space, with its sophisticated design in different sections and different height levels, was to be preserved.

The project was awarded 2nd place in the German SPIELRAUMPREIS 2013. The competition theme was "Movement and Space".

In the context of a participation procedure, in which beside the city of Herne as a client and our office, pupils of the different age groups participated, the following priorities were worked out:

Movement course (area middle school)
On the centrally located hill area a sequence of different fitness devices for the individual promotion of the physical vitality, as well as dwelling possibilities was created. To allow exercise and movement regardless of weather conditions. To reduce maintenance costs, a waterproof synthetic surface was chosen.

Climbing and play facilities (Lower School area)
A large sand area was created, which has been equipped with a combination climbing device with climbing wall and a hexagonal corner. With its height difference of 0.6 m to 2.5 m, the combination climbing device also offers a place to stay for a large number of students who, for example, want to follow the activities on the immediately adjacent sports fields.

Stay options (upper school area)
The upper school students wanted an area that would serve them as a place to retreat and at the same time as a meeting place. To this end, a meadow area was redesigned. To separate the area from the directly adjacent parking lot, a small earthen modeling was created, which also gives the area an "arena character". This area is bordered by wave benches, which are screened from each other on one side with chest-high privacy elements.

Individual measures
In addition, smaller individual measures were implemented on the school grounds, such as the construction of a round table tennis table, additional creation of new seating in the form of youth benches or the visualization of the entrances to the schoolyard area by logo steles.
The measure was supported by funds from the European Union, the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy, Building, Housing and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.