With its model concept, the Franz-Binder-Verbundschule in Neckarsulm is opening up new perspectives for students. For the first time in the state, its model integrates the educational tracks of the Realschule, the Gemeinschaftsschule, and the Werkrealschule into a comprehensive educational landscape under one roof. In this way, the Verbundschule remains independent of current structural and educational policy changes and can respond flexibly to them. It also creates a future-oriented learning environment for its students that is tailored to their needs.
The architectural design of the Verbundschule by a+r Architekten follows the cluster principle, organizing learning areas into open, flexible spaces that support interaction and collaborative learning. Learning in these clusters encourages physical activity, and active learning helps reduce stress and creates a better learning atmosphere.
“In close and intensive collaboration with the educators at the Verbundschule,” emphasizes Florian Gruner, architect and managing director at a+r, “we have continuously refined the school’s spatial concept.” This tact and dedication of the Stuttgart- and Tübingen-based architectural firm is evident in every room of the school building. In the new Verbundschule—Neckarsulm’s largest construction project—the two existing community schools from Obereisesheim and Amorbach were merged with the local Werkrealschule and expanded to include a Realschule track. Since the school’s founding in 2020, it had been reliant on temporary housing solutions. That is why the new school building represents a major milestone for both students and teachers, providing a home and a distinct identity for their school community of approximately 850 people in the future.
School Campus on the Sulm
The new school’s building complex is divided into three interconnected sections—the cafeteria building with the main entrance, the central cluster building, and the gymnasium. The staggered arrangement of the structures, with their varying heights, creates a visual division of the large building mass while simultaneously forming a sequence of three spatially well-defined outdoor areas. With its central element—the playground—the school campus opens up on the steeply sloping terrain to the north toward the Sulm, a tributary of the Neckar. In this way, the school is closely connected to the surrounding landscape. The school’s new three-part sports hall, with seating for 400 spectators, was built to replace the old, dilapidated Sulm Gymnasium and borders the existing Pichterich Hall to the north, with a direct connection to it. Facade, Windows, Daylight, Wood-aluminum windows, ventilation system, exposed concrete, floor, heat recovery, primary energy demand, district heating, local heating, sustainableconstruction, EnEV, EnEV: This trade journal focuses on the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) as a tool for regulating the energy demand of buildings in Germany. It examines the regulation and implementation of the EnEV and its effects on the energy efficiency of buildings. by 35%
Energy Supply Concept: Sports Hall with Municipal CHP Plant, School with District Heating and Photovoltaic System
Photos: Max Leitner
About a+r Architekten
a+r Architekten stands for solid, environmentally responsible, and forward-looking architecture with compelling expertise in the field of sustainable construction—including retrofits. Founded in 1985 by Prof. Gerd Ackermann and Prof. Hellmut Raff, the firm—with offices in Stuttgart and Tübingen—employs approximately 130 people and is currently led by Oliver Braun, Florian Gruner, and Alexander Lange. a+r Architects primarily design for public clients, industry and commerce, municipal housing authorities, and social institutions. The firm focuses on appropriate, ecological, functional, and—as a result—innovative construction methods and has been honored with prestigious awards for its work.
