06 | 2024 COMPETITION
Leibniz-Secondary School | Essen
Recognition | In collaboration with LH Architekten
The overall open space planning concept aims to create differentiated schoolyard areas with different characters, atmospheres and functions for a wide range of uses. The urban positioning of the new buildings creates a flowing open space structure that forms three connected schoolyard areas. In the southern area, a green open space with a learning and play landscape will be created. In the centre of the site, an open, multifunctional square area will be created, which will also form the main access point for bicycle and pedestrian traffic to the school. In the northern area, the focus is on functional sports fields. The Kiss & Ride zone and underground car park access are also located in this area.
09 | 2024 COMPETITION
Replacement building Hainberg-Gymnasium | Göttingen
1st prize | In cooperation with Pape+Pape Architects
The new replacement building for the Hainberg-Gymnasium and the demolition of the old school wings will enable the site to be redesigned and optimised. The campus offers a park-like environment with mature trees, which will be preserved and promote outdoor learning. The open spaces are clearly zoned, with the new building creating a central forecourt as an open centre. Here there are learning gardens and green classrooms with access to the learning areas, which support learning in nature. They are accessible via external stairs, while a sunken garden and terraced areas around the canteen provide additional space for social interaction. The outdoor space is complemented by a multi-purpose all-weather pitch and sports facilities. All areas are planted with insect-friendly plants and promote biodiversity - including the biodiversity roofs, which store rainwater and offer ecological benefits.
© Pape+Pape/GTL
04 | 2025 COMPETITION
Children's Centre, Educational Campus Rainbrunnen | Schorndorf
Recognition | In collaboration with Atelier 30
The new children's centre and the extension to the school building on the Schorndorf educational campus form a central area that harmonises with the outdoor facilities and creates generous open spaces. The entrance area, equipped with multi-trunked trees and a round bench, forms the prelude to the school and kindergarten grounds and serves as a passageway and recreation area. To the east, the open space in front of the dining hall expands and merges into the schoolyard with playing field. The building structure divides the outdoor areas into clearly defined zones. A western playground is bordered by a linear play sculpture with sand play, climbing and sliding facilities. The northern play yard is designed as an exercise yard with age-appropriate play equipment. In the north-eastern area is the school garden, which enables barrier-free gardening and outdoor lessons. The open space is designed as a heavily greened play and school landscape with large-crowned trees of the future and structured by sunken areas of grasses and shrubs. In addition to their insect-friendly abundance of flowers, these areas also serve as retention and seepage areas.
© Atelier30, GTL
05 | 2025 COMPETITION
Redesign of the Mühlenberg School Campus | Wipperfürth
Recognition | In collaboration with LH Architekten and STLH Architekten
The new school campus places great emphasis on the design and quality of open spaces. It is accessed from the north and south-west, with all required parking spaces having been reorganised. The two schoolyards are adapted to the respective topography and laid out on different levels – with covered areas created by building recesses. Green islands, tree plantings and light-coloured, glare-free surfaces improve the microclimate and create a high quality of stay. The shared sports fields and ‘green classrooms’ are located in the southern green belt, which has been designed to be close to nature and made visible by seating edges in the topography. Rainwater retention has been integrated into the terrain. The roof areas are intensively or extensively greened, partly used as retention roofs, partly as roof terraces for the schools. The overall result is a well-designed, ecologically valuable open space with a high degree of versatility and quality of stay.
© LH Architekten, STLH Architekten, GTL
06 | 2025 COMPETITION
New Fire and Rescue Station I | Bonn
2nd prize | In collaboration with Steimle Architekten
The outdoor facilities of the new fire station are functional in nature and largely occupied by parking areas and turning circles. The quality of the outdoor space is therefore mainly found on the first floor: a surrounding, green terrace band creates a green setting with seating areas, especially in the east above the vehicle hall. The uppermost roof areas are extensively greened in combination with photovoltaics as retention roofs – important for rainwater management, as the paved courtyard areas do not allow for infiltration. In the inner courtyard, a central green island with trees remains free of traffic, complemented by green facades on the west wing. Visitor and bicycle parking spaces are located on the remaining area near the shared access road with BonnOrange. Existing trees in the west will be largely preserved, and the green strip will be densified. Robust, climate-resilient trees and shrubs, as well as nutrient plants and nesting sites, will promote biodiversity.
© Steimle Architekten, GTL
06 | 2025 COMPETITION
New Molecular Biology Building at the University of Biology on the Poppelsdorf Campus of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität | Bonn
1st prize | In collaboration with Atelier30
The new laboratory building for molecular biology integrates diverse, high-quality open spaces into the campus environment. The area in front of the main entrance is landscaped and offers a pleasant place to linger, as well as integrated bicycle parking spaces. The centrepiece of the open space concept is the differently designed inner courtyard with a green centre and adjoining terraces, which is excitingly structured by offsets in the building's shape. It functions as a connecting element and a place for exchange. There are further terraces with a high amenity value on several levels. The roof areas are extensively greened with native grasses and shrubs to promote biodiversity. A large roof terrace is available as a place of relaxation for employees. Photovoltaic systems on the roof complement the overall sustainable concept. The open spaces not only support the microclimate, but also strengthen communication and identity on the campus.
© Atelier30
07 | 2025 COMPETITION
Extension and renovation of two primary schools | Sassenburg
1st prize | In collaboration with Kauffmann Theilig & Partner
The new open space concept for the school grounds picks up on the open structure with multiple access points and views of the landscape, developing it into a diverse, natural schoolyard. Dense, varied planting surrounds the triangular school building and creates sheltered, organically shaped recreational areas. The schoolyard is functionally divided into a western exercise area with a climbing sculpture, sports and play facilities, and a sound garden with a shaded outdoor classroom. To the east, a quiet retreat is being created with a green classroom, garden areas and niches for lingering. The furniture promotes communication and individual use. Plantings at the edges create privacy and support ecological learning processes. The design responds to climatic challenges and raises awareness of sustainability. Bicycle parking spaces are retained and functional access points, such as to the waste disposal area, are integrated.
© Kauffmann Theilig & Partner, GTL
07 | 2025 COMPETITION
New secondary school and sports hall Hafner | Konstanz
3rd prize | In collaboration with Atelier30
The new school grounds combine quality of life, exercise, learning and ecological sustainability. The day begins on the green forecourt with shady sweetgum trees and circular benches – an inviting meeting place with nearby bicycle parking spaces. The ‘school landscape’ is divided into green break areas, a quiet open-air classroom and biodiversity areas with meadows and bird protection plantings. Retention and infiltration areas improve rainwater management. The roof of the sports hall is transformed into an exercise landscape with calisthenics, obstacle courses, trampolines and grandstand furniture. A wide seating staircase leads to the streetball court and bouldering sculpture. All roof areas are designed as retention roofs with storage substrate and irrigation systems. Rainwater is also collected and used via terrain profiling, troughs and cisterns. Extensive planting specifically promotes biodiversity and creates species-rich, climate-resilient habitats.
© Atelier30, GTL
05 | 2025 COMPETITION
Transformation of the Helmstedt Mining Area | Helmstedt
Recognition | In collaboration with WELP von KLITZING
The Helmstedt mining area between Elm and Lappwald is being transformed into an innovative open-cast mine of the future. Instead of reconstructing past conditions, the area is understood as a historical document that tells its story. Natural processes and landscape changes are deliberately integrated. Targeted interventions create characteristic locations and strengthen unspoilt areas. The open-cast mining lakes are slowly filling up with groundwater and rainwater alone – a symbol of the cautious approach. Wind turbines, avenues and forest edges frame the area, making its dimensions visible and emphasising its value. A ring road (made up of the L244 and L245a) with colour-coded cycle paths emphasises the artificial enclosure. A finely meshed network of paths opens up the area for pedestrians and cyclists. Nature is reclaiming the territory – natural succession is creating diverse vegetation zones with a high level of biodiversity. This is turning the area into a special, near-natural experience space.
© WELP von KLITZING, GTL
03 | 2025 COMPETITION
Daycare Centre Hegge | Waltenhofen
2nd Prize | In collaboration with Benkert Schäfer
The daycare centre redefines the village centre and creates a common village square. Tree positions divide the new village centre into different areas of use. The daycare centre opens up as a house for children and offers space for communal uses in the community. The green open space of the daycare centre blends into the existing village structure. The preservation of valuable existing trees ensures that the outdoor facilities are shaded and creates a natural atmosphere. The terrain will be carefully modelled to create a varied play landscape. Targeted planting provides additional structure to the outdoor space and divides it into day nursery and crèche areas. Terrace-like open spaces create flowing transitions between indoor and outdoor areas. This creates a well thought-out combination of nature, play and community, which optimally supports the educational use of the outdoor space.
© Benkert Schäfer, GTL