GYMNASIUM ISMANING Conversion of a conference hotel into a 4-stream grammar school

Instead of a new building, the municipality of Ismaning decided to convert the western part of the former Telekom education center and later conference hotel at Seidl-Kreuz-Weg 11 into a 4-stream grammar school.



The site of the ISGY is located close to the city center and at the same time in an idyllic landscape on the floodplains of the Kernbach, surrounded by dense trees, in the middle of nature.

The existing open spaces of the conference center were completely cleared and redesigned for school use. Varied open spaces have been created around the completely renovated existing building - embedded in the landscape - to meet the diverse requirements of pupils and teachers.



A carpet of large-format concrete slabs defines the clearly structured entrance area in the north and continues to the south in intensively designed terraces. The lounge areas with light umbrella-shaped trees in seating platforms are directly adjacent to the glass façades of the assembly hall, canteen and event room and connect the interior and exterior spaces. Steel troughs, seating elements and wooden decks as defining design elements were specially designed for this location.



The largely enclosed inner courtyard of the school wing is designed as a "green classroom". Planting areas with evergreen grasses, flowering shrubs and loosely arranged small multi-stemmed trees, bordered by long seating walls, create a recreational area with a peaceful atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of the library. Teachers and pupils alike appreciate the intimacy of the courtyard, which is therefore often used as a podium and outdoor meeting space.



The design of the schoolyard in the west takes up the finger-like vegetation structure of the former parking lot and reinforces it with seating walls to zone the large open space. This creates variously usable niches and sub-spaces with play and sports facilities, while at the same time existing trees can be preserved. The interlocking with nature is also reflected in the surfacing, which becomes increasingly greener towards the outside and transitions into near-natural meadows. Surface water seeps away into planted gravel troughs. A low ropes course is carefully integrated into the existing trees. The bank area of the Kernbach stream is incorporated into the use. Seating steps in the embankment lead down to the water and open up the view of the landscape.



The fact that a "green" school can function despite intense pressure to use it is demonstrated shortly after school starts. The seating steps by the stream soon become favorite places. They make and build things with natural materials they find. The children quickly settle in and have made the open spaces their own. They call their school "Haus am Bach".



Planning: 2015-2018

Construction period: April 2017- September 2018 (2 construction phases)

Open space: approx. 11,500 m²

Architects: Felix and Jonas (LPH 3-8)



Executing companies:

Hallertau landscape

Eibel locksmiths

Ilmberger joinery