Renovation of Vocational Schools in Korbach
Refurbishment During Ongoing Operations - Space Gain Through Projected Building Envelope
Location:
Kasseler Straße, Korbach
Client:
Eigenbetrieb Gebäudemanagement Landkreis Waldeck - Frankenberg
Architecture:
abj Architekt:innen GmbH, Hamburg
Structural Engineer:
Ingenieurbüro Nolte, Frankenberg
Size of Timber Construction:
3,314 m² wall elements, maximum element sizes 3.05 m x 7.20 m; 1,527 m² timber-glass façade. Spruce profiles 60/200 mm with RAICO glazing system (equivalent to 3,435 linear metres of post-and-beam construction and 1,445 linear metres of additional reinforcements)
Year of Construction:
2021
The school building of the vocational schools in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district, dating from the 1970s, underwent extensive renovation. Defective windows and doors, fire safety deficiencies, energy inefficiencies, harmful substances, and outdated spatial structures are now a thing of the past. Instead, the building now impresses with a completely new building envelope, renewed flat roofs, as well as sawtooth roofs over the workshops and a complete modernisation of the technical infrastructure.
With a new ventilation system, modern skylights, and an upgraded electrical installation, the building, with a usable area of approximately 9,350 m², meets the current requirements of the vocational school.
The prefabricated two-storey façade made of timber frame elements and the use of various materials, such as large zinc panels and Trespa boards, contribute to a friendly and modern appearance. The energy-efficient renovation and the sustainable, high-quality choice of materials enhance the longevity and efficiency of the school building.
The new spatial concept promotes community and interaction. Open learning zones, abundant light, and visual connections offer a high quality of stay and facilitate the implementation of new educational concepts.
The architectural firm particularly appreciated the high degree of prefabrication of the external wall elements. The element concept developed by Rubner ensured a high level of execution quality and significantly reduced construction time—especially relevant as the construction project had to be implemented in six phases during ongoing school operations, taking into account the limited options for outsourcing.
The post-and-beam construction was already integrated into the wall elements at the factory. The transport of the elements was carried out horizontally to the construction site. There, the elements could be moved to a pre-assembly area using a forklift. The elements were then erected and, while standing on A-frames, completed with glass and windows, and finally assembled using mobile cranes.
Building within an existing structure presents project-specific challenges that we had to respond to individually. For example, the closure of numerous construction openings in the reinforced concrete structure on site required meticulous sealing and corner glazing. Additionally, work had to be carried out during ongoing school operations, sometimes with interruptions during exam periods.
Precise measurement work is the essential basis for façade planning. Our detailed construction planning of the external wall elements, with integrated post-and-beam profiles, resulted in custom-made, highly prefabricated components of joinery quality being produced in the factory.
