Extension of a school in Ergoldsbach, Germany

The Dominik-Brunner school in Ergoldsbach didn't just add more classrooms. With the expansion of its Learning HouseIt is enriched by a visionary building with iconic architecture. The four new classrooms, the ancillary rooms and the bright two-level atrium provide a wide variety of spaces for learning, meeting and collaborating.

The architects, urban planners, and engineers at Bindhammer designed the atrium as the true heart of the building. A place for circulation and gathering, it also transforms into a space dedicated to open learning, inter-class work, or as a playground in inclement weather. The large glass roof floods the space with natural light and creates changing atmospheres throughout the day. Acoustics, essential to the building's inclusive concept, was a central design consideration. It ensures optimal use of the space, perfect speech intelligibility, and comfortable conditions for everyone.

Understanding rather than guessing: acoustics, the key to inclusion in schools

Accessibility is often reduced to its classic architectural aspects: ramps, elevators, or contrasting guidance systems. But is speech intelligibility truly taken into account? When building modern schools, it is essential to design learning spaces for everyone, adapted to individual needs. High-quality acoustics should not be a luxury, but rather a cornerstone of accessible and inclusive education. This essential aspect allows students with hearing or language difficulties to listen attentively, learn effectively, and participate fully in activities. Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or whose first language is different also benefit from clear speech perception, reduced reverberation, and a calming sound environment.

For their part, teachers benefit from less vocal fatigue, which reduces their stress and improves the quality of their work. All users, even those without hearing difficulties, benefit from school spaces equipped with acoustic ceilings or building surfaces designed to enhance acoustics. From preschool onward, the sound quality of spaces is of particular importance. Young children greatly benefit from good speech intelligibility. It facilitates not only communication but also language acquisition.

Create natural and effective acoustics in all spaces

High-quality acoustics are achieved through the use of acoustic panels made of real wood. (Ligno® Acoustics), which combine aesthetics and functionality. In Ergoldsbach, their irregular slat design " Nature " defines the visual character of the interior architecture. The knot-free white fir slats bring nature in and provide warmth and authenticity.

The combination of effective sound absorption with natural materials and high-end real wood surfaces creates spaces of significant educational and architectural value. Lignotrend It uses no artificial felt and only healthy, bio-based materials. Natural wood fiber absorbers dampen sound, reduce reverberation, and ensure acoustic accessibility. Often overlooked, it is nevertheless essential for equitable learning and participation. Open areas, featuring learning and play islands, encourage collaboration, play, and communication. Where many voices converge, targeted acoustic design creates quiet zones and fosters a harmonious and relaxed atmosphere.

Award-winning architectural quality

The new learning center perfectly combines hearing and physical accessibility. Two new elevators now serve the entire existing building and its extension. All areas of the school are now fully accessible to all users. The combination of inclusive architecture, careful acoustics, and high-quality, environmentally friendly materials makes this establishment a model project of modern school architecture.

This extension was quite logically integrated into the program. Architektouren 2025 and received the label KlimaKulturKompetenz for accessibility. This recognition reflects a vision of architecture that goes beyond a simple functional shell, creating thoughtful, inclusive, and genuinely pleasant spaces. By integrating acoustics from the design stage, we not only build sustainably, but also look to the future, fostering participation and equal opportunities.

Architects: Bindhammer Architects, Urban Planners and Engineers, Bayerbach (Germany)

Ceilings: Obermeier GmbH & Co. KG, Landau an der Isar

Pictures : © Bildraumwest, Weiden