District plans to build a new Kugelsburg School in Volkmarsen

Caption: The Kugelsburg School in Volkmarsen is being rebuilt. The plans were presented during an on-site meeting. Those present included (from left to right) Deputy Headteacher Katja Möller, Claudia Frede, Head of the District’s Building Management Department, her deputy Dirk Wilke, District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst, Volkmarsen’s mayor, Hendrik Vahle, the head of the district’s Schools Department, Claudia Knublauch, and Volkmarsen’s deputy mayor, Thomas Viesehon. (Photo: Waldeck-Frankenberg District)

The Waldeck-Frankenberg district is paving the way for a modern school environment in Volkmarsen: following a planning phase, the Kugelsburg School is to be completely rebuilt. In the immediate vicinity of the old building, a contemporary, accessible and pedagogically high-quality learning environment will be created, which will meet the needs of the school community in the long term.

Space for modern teaching and personalised support
With the construction of the new secondary school, including a preparatory year, the district is responding to the structural and educational challenges at the existing site – and creating space for modern teaching methods, all-day programmes and personalised support for pupils. The plans include functional, versatile classrooms and specialist rooms, modern facilities, as well as outdoor and open spaces that provide practical support for day-to-day teaching.

Sustainable building design
The plans call for a modern school building with a solid base storey and a timber structure built on top of it. Heating is provided by a reversible heat pump and a surface heating system with underfloor heating. A hybrid ventilation system ensures the necessary air quality in the classrooms. Furthermore, the building will be fitted with a green roof and a photovoltaic system.

Caption: The first visualisation concept for the Kugelsburg School was presented at the meeting. (Illustration: architektur-werk-stadt/Paderborn)

’s multi-stage planning process Following a Europe-wide tender, the contract for the project was awarded to architektur-werk-stadt of Paderborn. The planning is carried out in stages: first, a preliminary design is drawn up for the new school building, the interior spaces and the outdoor areas. Building on this, the detailed design and construction planning will follow, along with the preparation and supervision of the building works. During these planning phases, particular attention will be paid to carefully reviewing the investment and ongoing costs in order to find a cost-effective and sustainable solution for the long term.

Investment of around 14.5 million euros
As things stand, total investment costs of around 14.5 million euros are earmarked for the entire new-build project. It is not yet clear when construction work on the new building can begin. However, lessons are to be held in the old Kugelsburg School building until the new building is fully completed. Once the school community has moved into the new building, the old building is to be offered to the town of Volkmarsen for urban development purposes.

School as a place of learning and life
The construction of the new Kugelsburg School is an investment in the educational infrastructure of the town of Volkmarsen and the entire district. “With the construction of the new Kugelsburg School, we want to create a school in Volkmarsen that meets the requirements of the coming decades. In doing so, we are investing in high-quality local education and in the future of children and young people in Waldeck-Frankenberg,” says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. Through this project, the district is not only strengthening the school as a centre of learning but also enhancing the region’s appeal to families and businesses. “Modern learning spaces, good conditions for all-day programmes and up-to-date facilities are intended to help improve educational opportunities and strengthen the school as a place of learning and life.”

Keywords:

Building Management Department Schools and Education Department