Hard on the outside, softer inside.

An interview with architect Prof. Ansgar Lamott on Gießen-Ost comprehensive school: A modern, protective structure for an open, stimulating, and free learning environment.

The distinct floors, with their light-filled atriums, immediately stand out and create a home-like feel. What model of spatial organization does the Gießen East Comprehensive School follow?

On our first site visit to the East School at the start of the competition, we found a large, outdated building and a site where approximately 1,500 students were already studying. Nearby was also a primary school with additional students.

Over the years, the building had grown with various structural issues, such as dead-end corridors, many lacking natural light or access to outdoor spaces. However, beneath this existing structure was an underlying framework of individual “houses” that we wanted to uncover as architectural units. This foundational structure of three old houses was reestablished with the first phase of construction and will be expanded to form three additional learning houses. Together, these six houses will form the foundation of the new school.

This house typology is evident both indoors and outdoors, creating appropriately sized buildings. “Joints” connect the individual houses, forming spatial links between these units. Within each learning house, floors are organized by age group or grade level. Each floor includes a cluster for a grade level with a teacher station, a small local library, and a spacious open learning area. The form, functional design, and furnishings of these learning landscapes are tailored to the specific needs of each age group.

What instructions did the client give you, and how did you engage in discussions with the school community?

The project brief for the “Renovation, Remodeling, and Expansion of Gießen East Comprehensive School” was detailed in the public tender for the Europe-wide competition. Essentially, the task was to extensively remodel and expand the existing school, as there were significant space shortages in the current building.

The goal was to transform the old corridor-based school into a modern, open learning environment, where an inviting architectural design creates the spatial foundation for contemporary learning. Among other changes, new dining and library spaces were to be built, ample indoor common areas created, and new classrooms and specialist rooms developed. The classrooms were to be without doors. All aspects were collaboratively developed in an exemplary participatory process between the client, users, and us as architects.

Your architectural studio uses minimization and reduction to enhance focus. What defines the authentic and sensuous architecture of Gießen?

For us, minimalism or reduction is not an end in itself. As the planning process becomes increasingly complex, with different specialties (acoustics, fire protection, accessibility, etc.) each considering themselves the priority, a “spatial direction” or a strong, defining architectural concept is essential to avoid creating a fragmented space focused on individual elements.

Reduction can be an effective means to establish an appropriate hierarchy and provide space for students to thrive. At the same time, we aim to create spaces that are not only sustainable in their physical design but also in their philosophy—meaning we avoid fashionable solutions in favor of spaces that are as durable and timeless as possible. In Gießen, the guiding architectural idea is to create a modern, protective outer shell that encloses an open, stimulating, and free learning environment: hard and robust on the outside, softer on the inside.

Externally, we drew on the existing brick facades of the neighboring school and transformed them into modern brick facades. Inside, the challenge was to balance the spaces so that the fixed classrooms and subject rooms form a framework for the “soft” areas in between: the learning landscape, arrival zones, and communication areas are spacious and loosely designed, always as a framework for individual appropriation through personal expression. The design provides enough structure to prevent randomness. In this sense, minimalization is also a matter of philosophy. Specifically, all fixed, binding spaces are arranged like a shell around the “center” of the clusters.

You involved FLÖTOTTO at an early stage as a partner for custom interior fittings and flexible furniture. What was your intention, and which new developments resulted from this collaboration?

Over the years in our practice, we have had the opportunity to build many schools. Not only have school concepts evolved, but architectural responses have varied greatly. Often, however, spaces are furnished according to a standard formula, and architects have little influence over the furnishings, as they are typically financed from different budgets. For this special project in Gießen, we sought a company that would respond to and further develop our spatial concepts. We found this partner in FLÖTOTTO.

By what criteria do usage concept, architectural space, and furniture come together in such complex building designs? What requirements did you have for FLÖTOTTO’s furniture, and how were they met?

The learning cluster is designed as a large living space, as children spend their daily time here. Like at home, the space, along with suitable furniture, must meet the varying needs and atmospheres for both relaxation and concentration. In the “open” areas of the learning landscape, the focus is on communication, relaxation, and learning. In the rear sections, there are zones designated for focused individual work, while the classrooms are intended for more concentrated learning. The furnishings adapt accordingly to these different settings. For example, the classic school chair now has wheels, allowing for easy, silent repositioning within the space. For the central learning areas, seating cushions are available to encourage alternative seating postures. FLÖTOTTO’s diverse furniture collection responds very well to these needs.

Many thanks for the interview.