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Urban Integration
The site of the Cantonal School of Wohlen lies at the boundary between large-scale infrastructure and small-scale residential neighborhoods set within green surroundings. The entire site benefits from a privileged position along the Bünz River and offers significant potential to integrate the river into the surrounding environment, making it both perceptible and accessible.
The design of the new school building responds to this heterogeneous context by seeking a balance between its relationship with the landscape and its urban configuration. The new building adopts the scale of the existing buildings and surrounding industrial volumes while, together with the transformed pavilions, creating a connecting element between the adjacent smaller structures. The urban integration clarifies the existing landscape spaces and generates new high-quality places.
Concept of Outdoor Spaces
The carefully positioned school building forms, together with the main building and the sports halls, an identifiable and recognizable center. Through an organic formal language — in contrast with the clear geometry of the square, which is nevertheless integrated and enhanced — the new center harmoniously connects to the various landscape typologies and functions of the area:
1 – Access
The semicircular square constitutes the main entrance to the complex. Organically shaped pathways gently connect to secondary entrances and to the main entrance of the new building. Parking spaces are located along the street, thus preventing vehicular access within the campus. Along Allmendstrasse, the existing parking area is reorganized with careful consideration for the existing tree heritage, improving circulation. Rigackerstrasse, according to the master plan, is redesigned as the main axis with a double row of trees, creating opportunities to activate the street space and to integrate bicycle and motorcycle parking between the trees. From Rigackerstrasse, an important access point to the new building is provided for both pedestrians and logistics.
2 – The Center
A large gravel inlay, enriched with tall deciduous trees, animates the heart of the central square and, through a carefully arranged tree layout, guides visitors toward the main entrance of the new building. This central space serves as a place of transit and connection, but also as an area for rest and study, thanks to the shade of the trees and the presence of movable chairs, loungers, and wooden platforms.
3 – Sports
The central area connects to the sports zone to the northwest. The existing multi-purpose sports field, including the athletics track, long jump facility, and beach volleyball court, is maintained and integrated into the pedestrian network through new pathways.
4. Natural Landscape,
Ecological Measures, and Biotope. The area is traversed by a species-rich meadow landscape. North of the sports surfaces, the existing ecological measures are preserved and expanded. The existing pond is ecologically enhanced and complemented by two additional small water bodies. An educational pathway makes this sensitive area accessible and usable.
5. Riverside Park
The Bünz River is reactivated: with the planned river renaturalization, the pavilion area will undergo a profound transformation. While the site has previously faced away from the river, new opportunities arise to open the spaces toward the water and to integrate the river as a high-quality landscape element.
6 – The Pavilions
The pavilion project maintains visual and atmospheric continuity with the existing buildings while meeting contemporary requirements for sustainability and comfort. The original pavilion footprints are preserved, while the concrete foundations are reinterpreted as sculptural elements. Volumes, materials, and architectural language are completely reworked.
The former school pavilions become lighter and more strongly integrated into the landscape, with a clear focus on sustainability. Existing volumes are reduced and transformed into five compact wooden pavilions; four of these are preceded by a garden facing the river.
Inspired by the Mediterranean hortus conclusus, clearly defined and flexible outdoor spaces are created (orchard, formal garden, vegetable garden, terraced garden for events or cinema). The concrete foundations are enhanced with new finishes and define the gardens.
The northernmost pavilion connects the park to the new center. Thanks to its privileged location, it accommodates public functions (café or kiosk) and differs from the other pavilions in both form and layout. The lower roof creates a covered patio along a gentle curve facing the river.
The park is crossed by a network of pathways connecting the river, the school, and the parking areas. The main transverse axis is articulated by small pillars inspired by the pathway systems of Renaissance villas around Dubrovnik.
The new pavilions are designed as generous spaces with impluvium roofs, at the center of which an ecological heating element (wood or pellet stove) provides winter heating. The modular wooden and glass façades allow for a fluid transition between interior and exterior. Large adjustable glazing on all sides ensures natural ventilation, supported by a traditional stack ventilation principle, improving indoor comfort.
The former school pavilions, transformed into publicly accessible spaces within the park, acquire a new architectural meaning, detached from their original function, and become precise elements within the landscape context.
Conclusion
The diversity and articulation of the open spaces create high-quality environments and a trusted educational setting that supports student learning and development, while also accommodating extracurricular activities.
