The new building for the Heinrich Hertz Gymnasium is located in the immediate vicinity of Berlin’s Ostbahnhof. The site can be described as a kind of clearing, nestled among trees and framed by adjacent residential and office buildings. The new building stands as a standalone structure within this green space and, through its function as an educational facility, blends seamlessly into its surroundings.
Projections and recesses interlock the building with the outdoor areas and the immediate surrounding structures. The arrangement of the building volumes creates a dynamic interplay between interior and exterior spaces. The forecourt opens to the south, while the outdoor areas feature various lighting zones and qualities.
The vertical articulation of the facades responds to the tall neighboring buildings and sets a confident accent. The unfolding roof surfaces give the building a striking appearance and charisma from the outside. Inside, an intimate roof garden is formed.
Internal Structure:
The building consists of a ground floor and four upper floors. The ground floor houses the administration offices, the cafeteria, the multipurpose room, the music rooms, and other staff rooms. The specialized and classroom areas are located on the upper floors. Each floor is divided into two sections arranged around a central staircase. An atrium provides additional natural light in the foyer areas.
Organization – Learning Landscapes:
Each classroom area is accessed via the foyer. The specialized classrooms are grouped along the exterior facade around the central forum. The team areas are also accessible via the foyer and are always connected to the forum. Each compartment contains the necessary lockers, restroom facilities, and ancillary rooms.
Roof Topography:
The inward-sloping roofs create a spatial envelope for the accessible roof landscape. A terrace on the fourth floor forms the central point of the roof garden. From there, a circular path leads to various areas such as a telescope site, a research station, a plant garden, and solar energy fields. The terraced design of the roofs allows the slope to be experienced as in a hilly landscape.
The result is a sheltered, exclusive space—a garden that serves as a contemplative learning and experiential area.
