Outdoor facilities Mahlsdorf elementary school Redesign of the schoolyard of an elementary school

Planning process

The new gymnasium building and the existing mobile classrooms were integrated into the outdoor space and combined into a unified image. In the design, care was taken to preserve the numerous woody plants, such as trees and shrubs, as far as possible. An "island concept" was planned, in which the existing trees were integrated. Furthermore, different areas of use and play have been created on the "islands". The inner area is framed by a stringent planning, which visually summarizes the island concept. Parts of the adjacent areas in the S/W and N/W of the old school building remained largely untouched.

Student Workshop

In the course of the preliminary design, a workshop was held with students of Mahlsdorf Elementary School, as well as representatives of the school, the after-school care center, and the district office. After an inspection of the playground, ideas, wishes and suggestions for the redesign of the schoolyard were collected together.

Construction process

Drainage concept

The drainage of precipitation water for the property was redesigned. Previously, the rainwater was directed to the nearby Marderpfuhl, a drainless infiltration basin. Since the capacity of the infiltration basin has been reached for the most part due to the existing buildings already connected and the new construction of the sports hall, a more elaborate solution had to be found for the outdoor facilities. Some of the rainwater is channelled into the slightly lower green islands and infiltrated there. However, due to the unfavourable hydrological properties of the existing soil, the drainage of the schoolyard cannot take place exclusively via swales. The other precipitation occurring is reduced by materials capable of infiltration (paving with wide joints, gravel lawn, "green islands", water-permeable EPDM surfacing). The resulting excess runoff is collected in courtyard drains and gutters, pre-cleaned through filter shafts, and decentralized infiltrated in a large-scale infiltration trench below the schoolyard.

Fixed surfaces

The paved area of the schoolyard was designed with ARENA paving. This is
a rounded concrete block paving with a larger proportion of joints, with a high
percolation factor. The idea was to create an irregularly shaped paving, which follows the concept of the islands. In addition, the existing large stone, mosaic stone and concrete block paving was partially reinstalled in the area of the bicycle parking facilities, parking spaces, access routes and as edging for reasons of cost and sustainability.

back to overview

1. Planning process
2. Student Workshop
3. Construction process
4. Drainage concept
5. Fixed surfaces