Expansion of an elementary school, new sports complex with swimming pool
Awarding authority: Commune of Sanem, Canton of Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Architectural design competition with a+a, 3rd place, 2025
Existing stock: Dual-track elementary school with 20 classrooms for 260 children
New school building: Single-track, 10 classrooms, library, after-school care for 270 children, kitchen, approx. 2,870 m² usable floor area
New sports complex: 3-part sports hall, indoor swimming pool, approx. 3,600 m² gross area
Building section 3: Expansion to include an additional track, approx. 2,400 m² usable floor area
Task
The commune of Sanem is planning an innovative and future-proof expansion of the Chemin Rouge school in the town of Belvaux. The existing elementary school no longer offers sufficient capacity, which is why they will construct a new building at the location with one additional class per year. This expansion will function as an independent unit and also offer expanded after-school care for around 270 students. The competition also involved the development of a new sports complex. The construction will be split into three phases: phase 1 (three classes per year) and phase 2 (sports complex) will be completed first. The concept also needs to consider the positioning and volume of phase 3 (expansion to four classes per year). The overall goal is an open and inviting campus for the entire commune.
Urban planning + outdoor spaces
All of the buildings on the new campus are positioned around a car-free green belt that expands in two places to create a schoolyard and a space for activities. Thanks to the fine urban grain, the buildings fit in harmoniously with the surrounding environment. At the same time, the new school building and the sports complex strengthen the local identity. For easy orientation, the concept creates sightlines across the entire length of the campus – from the entrance to the sports complex at one end to the other end of the belt. Vehicle parking spaces are located outside of the “red path,” away from the schoolyard. The topography is used to create tiered outdoor seating that can be used for spontaneous activities or larger events.
In terms of urban planning, the campus is connected to its surroundings like a green ladder. Opening gestures in all directions make the space inclusive, accessible, and inviting to local residents. This car-free connection to the entire neighborhood allows children to walk home from school safely and independently in all directions. Furthermore, these densely planted spaces supply fresh air to the campus and are designed in line with the “sponge city” urban planning model.
The gabled roofs create a uniform appearance for the campus while at the same time offering a great deal of modularity, prefabrication, and flexibility. They recall a childlike depiction of a house, thus representing a sense of comfort and security. The row of angled roofs, which also dominate the surrounding built environment, lend the campus a child-friendly scale and fit in well with the neighboring buildings. Large windows on the gable ends provide a great deal of natural light and create an inviting atmosphere.
The school expansion
The foyer of the new building extends partly over two floors. Together with the large roof overhang, it welcomes visitors and makes it easy for them to get their bearings. All core functions like the library and circulation areas are connected here. The foyer allows for many different activities and performances for the students.
Load-bearing interior walls are avoided wherever possible. Classrooms, annexes, and hallway zones can therefore be flexibly partitioned to allow for alphabetization in two languages and smaller learning groups. All indoor spaces receive a great deal of natural light and maintain a close connection to nature. The visible wooden structures and drywall with timber framing and clay infill improve the air quality and make the space more comfortable for the users. The shape of the gabled roofs is clear from the inside and helps to absorb sound.
We chose to set the cafeteria apart as a meeting place that creates a unifying identity for the entire school. As an event space, it can also be used and flexibly partitioned for a wide variety of activities. For larger events or in the summer months, the dining area can be opened up to the outside.
The sports complex
The sports complex forms the northern end of the campus and welcomes visitors under a generous roof overhang. This large volume is broken up by multiple gabled roofs in line with the overall campus concept.
On the interior, the structure is rationally optimized by the central location of the locker rooms and technical area. The halls are built on a timber frame that clearly highlights the individual uses and logically implements the division of the hall into three parts. The design also makes it possible for the individual swimming and sports halls to be used by commune residents at any time via the central foyer.
Vis: VIZE for JSWD und a+a