The planners from el:ch landschaftsarchitekten spent ten years redesigning the Schopfheim school campus. Realizing the project without disrupting school operations was not the only challenge. In their project presentation, the planners themselves explain why they had to adapt the plans from time to time, what they achieved in terms of vegetation and rainwater management and how they made the schoolyard barrier-free despite the differences in height.

The planners from el:ch landschaftsarchitekten spent ten years redesigning the Schopfheim school campus. Realizing the project without disrupting school operations was not the only challenge. In their project presentation, the planners themselves explain why they had to adapt the plans from time to time, what they achieved in terms of vegetation and rainwater management and how they made the schoolyard barrier-free despite the differences in height.

The renovation and extension of the Johann-Peter-Hebel and Friedrich-Ebert-Schule school campus in Schopfheim took us over ten years – from winning the planning competition with Architekturbüro 1 (Linz) to the challenging implementation in six construction phases. And all this while the school continued to operate. Vacation periods that were always too short, political decisions that overturned plans and constantly changing framework conditions did not make the process any easier. Ultimately, however, it was precisely these challenges that gave us the opportunity to develop the campus step by step – in a well thought-out, sustainable and future-oriented way.

Our aim was to create modern and sustainable learning spaces that blend harmoniously into their surroundings. We not only wanted to set aesthetic accents, but also to give nature the space it deserves.

The Schopfheim school campus is surrounded by a “green frame”. Carefully selected perennials and shrubs promote biodiversity and at the same time reduce the amount of maintenance required. Gabions and concrete blocks create recreational and retention areas that allow rainwater to collect and seep away naturally. In this way, they support the local water balance. These vegetation areas help to improve the urban microclimate and provide a habitat for small animals.

The planted areas not only fulfill a design function, but also an important ecological task: they serve as retention areas and are supplied with water through this natural irrigation. The choice of a purely mineral perennial substrate with a minimal admixture of compost was particularly successful. The planting of drought-resistant and self-seeding species has proven resilient and continues to develop. It was particularly exciting to accompany the planting in various stages of development over the years – a rare opportunity that we as planners greatly appreciated.

When selecting the materials, we placed particular emphasis on sustainability and durability in order to meet the requirements of everyday school life. The central playground was equipped with a robust wooden deck, surrounded by asphalt surfaces that can withstand the rough demands of school life. The play areas are equipped with wooden play equipment from Zimmer.Obst. Fall protection gravel and play sand are safely and naturally enclosed by coconut fiber edging. The existing trees, grassy mounds and many shrub willows create a natural ambience.

The color scheme of the surfacing is based on the façades, which alternate in shades of grey. Strong yellow tones set accents that can be found both indoors and outdoors. Together with the lush green of the vegetation, the result is a harmonious overall picture that makes the campus appear inviting and modern.

Accessibility was a central theme in the planning. The topography of the site, with a height difference of more than three meters, presented us with particular challenges. We had to find solutions that would enable everyone – regardless of their mobility restrictions – to move around the campus safely and freely. Wide paths, gentle slopes, barrier-free bus stops and parking spaces were just as important as specially designed play equipment for children with limited mobility. The oak play platform is a particular highlight: it not only benefits children with different abilities, but also encourages discovery and exploration.

One major challenge was the construction site logistics during ongoing school operations. Each construction phase had to be organized in such a way that lessons were disrupted as little as possible, especially during exam periods. The completion of the new school building was followed by the renovation of the old building and the design of the shared schoolyard. Access to the buildings and escape routes had to be guaranteed at all times. This presented us with a challenging but also very creative task.

Not all decisions remained unchanged over the course of the project. The project took an unexpected turn when the city council decided to stop the planned demolition of the technical building. Many of the originally planned open spaces could no longer be realized, which presented us with new challenges. We had to find creative solutions to make sense of the remaining areas. The long process was accompanied by numerous changes in the team and public discussions, but also by the support of the school’s ever-present janitor.

A special milestone was reached in summer 2024: the inauguration of the new sports hall and the accompanying community festival with bratwurst and brass band music were the fitting conclusion to a long and intensive construction period. The project had reached the home straight.

The Schopfheim school campus project has shown us impressively how complex planning processes can be successfully implemented over many years. With patience, flexibility and a clear vision, we have succeeded in creating a sustainable and barrier-free campus that meets the needs of current and future generations. The end of a long process marks the beginning of a new, vibrant school life on the redesigned campus – a modern, inclusive place to learn and meet.

el:ch landschaftsarchitekten was founded in Munich in 2005 and is headed by partners Christian Henke (BOKU Vienna) and Elisabeth Lesche (TU Dresden). The office is active in a wide range of fields – from residential courtyards to large-scale master plans, from inner-city locations in historical contexts to subsequent industrial landscapes. A significant proportion of the projects are the result of successful participation in competitions.

The work of el:ch landschaftsarchitekten is characterized by the dialogue between built space and vegetation. The designs are based on durable, structural settings that fit harmoniously into their spatial context and at the same time fulfill specific functional requirements. The choice of materials follows a clear design language: durable, geometrically simple structures with a strong connection to the location and natural space.

With a creative and playful approach, unusual but well thought-out compositions are created in which vegetation is consciously integrated into the design process as a dynamic element. The partners not only contribute their planning expertise, but are also active in teaching and as members of competition juries. In this way, el:ch landschaftsarchitekten combines creative precision with a deep understanding of ecological and social contexts – for open spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The March issue of G+L is dedicated to the topic of schools: Find out what a school playground should look like in 2025, what pupils and teachers want and how digital education is faring in Germany’s schools in the project presentations, interviews and commentaries in the March issue. The magazine is available here in the store.

In addition to the magazine, you can discover more schoolyard projects on the G+L website here.