Anne Frank Comprehensive School

The courtyard-like open spaces in front of the Music and Crafts departments offer particular qualities. Generous seating areas define the spaces, creating places for people to meet and linger, whilst at the same time opening up new possibilities for outdoor lessons, performances and events. In the Werkhof, an existing fountain has been integrated into the new design concept and reinterpreted as an identity-defining feature. In this way, existing qualities are preserved and combined with a contemporary use.
The landscaping follows a clear spatial structure: inviting lawns give way to species-rich wildflower meadows, which run alongside the school grounds as an ecologically valuable green buffer. This creates a continuous, varied green belt along the road, which screens the campus from the public space whilst making an important contribution to biodiversity. Outside school hours, the southern open space remains accessible and provides genuine added value for the surrounding neighbourhood.

The existing school playground has also been reimagined in terms of both design and function. The striped motif is continued here as coloured markings on the tarmac surface, linking the old and new buildings to form a shared open space. The graphic elements not only create a strong visual identity but also encourage informal play and physical activity. Beneath the iconic existing oak tree, a spacious wooden deck has been created which protects the tree whilst also providing a special place to gather in the heart of the school playground.

Another key focus was on encouraging physical activity and self-directed play. Generous climbing and activity facilities, complemented by a bespoke obstacle course landscape, open up a wide range of possibilities for different age groups. Rather than prescriptive play sequences, the new play landscape offers space for discovery, creativity and physical challenges.

In the inner courtyard of the new building, lush, natural planting featuring multi-stemmed trees, shrubs and grasses creates a vibrant green atmosphere. Extensive and intensive green roofs complement the overall ecological concept and create additional open spaces with climate-enhancing benefits. A well-thought-out drainage system, accessible pathways and high-quality lighting round off the design and ensure sustainable use throughout the day.

The result is a robust yet subtly nuanced outdoor school space that encourages learning, physical activity and social interaction, links the existing architecture with the new building, and gives the school site a strong, sustainable identity.