Exterior view of a multi-level educational building with large awnings and a central staircase.

A modern educational building with multiple levels featuring large awnings and a central staircase.

A modern multi-story building with large, light-colored awnings covering the windows. The structure features wooden elements and a veranda. Young trees and a paved path are visible in the foreground.
Close-up view of a building facade featuring wooden beams, green paneling, and metal railings with beige awnings.
A modern multi-story education building with green and beige accents, featuring large windows and exterior balconies. The structure is surrounded by a fenced area and is situated in a residential neighborhood. A tree with bare branches frames the foreground.
Interior view of a building featuring wooden beams, a staircase, and large fabric sunshades.
Interior hallway of an educational building featuring tiled flooring, wooden cabinetry, and large glass doors leading outside.
A classroom interior with tables and chairs, featuring large windows and a wooden wall.
Interior view of a modern educational building with wooden elements and large windows.
Aerial view of a site plan showing a new education building surrounded by residential structures and green spaces.
A floor plan of an educational building showing a symmetrical layout with multiple rooms and corridors.
A floor plan of a building showing multiple rooms arranged symmetrically around a central corridor. The plan includes various rooms with doors, a central staircase, and what appears to be restrooms and utility areas.
A floor plan layout of a building showing multiple rooms and corridors. The plan includes several rectangular spaces, likely representing classrooms or offices, with doors and walls clearly marked. Centralized facilities such as restrooms and staircases are visible in the middle of the plan.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-story building with detailed floor layouts and structural elements.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-story building with visible staircases and room layouts on each floor.
Architectural elevation drawing of a three-story building with symmetrical design, featuring central staircases and multiple windows on each floor.

Story

A Harmonious Educational Environment in Affoltern am Albis The New Education Building “Breiten” is a thoughtfully designed educational facility located in the residential neighborhood of Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland. Designed by Kummer/Schiess Architekten, the building harmoniously integrates kindergartens, primary school classes, and after-school care facilities within a single structure. Its compact form respects the local urban fabric, adopting the typical building heights and dimensions of the area. The building is strategically positioned to organize the site effectively. To the north, a parking area accommodates staff vehicles and bicycles, while waste disposal facilities are discreetly integrated. The southern side offers an expansive outdoor space designed for school use, featuring various play areas and infrastructure that benefit from optimal sunlight exposure. The building's veranda serves as the primary vertical circulation, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. This design creates a welcoming entrance. The outdoor space includes a climbing tower, sand play area, edible garden, and a spacious lawn, all enclosed by a transparent fence that ensures safety without compromising the sense of openness. Inside, the building's layout is organized into individual classroom units, each with direct outdoor access. Shared spaces such as movement rooms and art studios complement the educational facilities. The building's structural system combines concrete and timber, optimizing its CO₂ footprint and allowing for future flexibility. Certified to Minergie-P-Eco standards, the building employs sustainable heating and ventilation systems, ensuring a comfortable indoor climate year-round.

## Design Highlights

Compact form respecting local building heights and dimensions Southern orientation for optimal sunlight exposure Veranda as main vertical circulation and welcoming entrance Diverse outdoor play areas with safety features Flexible classroom units with shared movement rooms and art studios Sustainable construction with concrete and timber hybrid structure Minergie-P-Eco certification for energy efficiency

## Key Facts

Key Aspect Details
Location Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland
Architect Kummer/Schiess Architekten
Year of Completion 2025
Structural System Concrete and timber hybrid
Certification Minergie-P-Eco
Main Materials Concrete, timber, spruce
Heating System District heating, underfloor
Ventilation Decentralized units, air cooler

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • flooring: Corridors, cloakrooms, and wet areas have through-colored porcelain stoneware tiles. Classrooms feature linoleum flooring (Marmoleum Cocoa Matcha). Staircase floors are smoothed cementitious screeds.
  • wall: Interior walls are prefabricated timber frame walls clad with three-layer panels. Internal glazing and doors are made of solid wood profiles, oak-veneered with spruce.
  • facade: The facade is constructed as a timber element system with additional insulation using soft fiber boards, clad in pre-colored spruce boarding, ventilated and mounted as a rainscreen.

Materials

  • concrete — Primary load-bearing system and basement exterior walls.
  • timber — Building envelope, veranda, and interior walls.
  • linoleum — Classroom flooring.
  • porcelain stoneware — Flooring in corridors, cloakrooms, and wet areas.

Construction / Systems

  • structural: Primary column-slab structural system optimized for CO₂ footprint. Prefabricated concrete columns and timber frame walls for flexibility.
  • ventilation: Fresh air is drawn in via a chimney, with exhaust air discharged through the roof. Classrooms have decentralized ventilation units.

Products

  • flooring — Marmoleum Cocoa Matcha (Classroom flooring)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: subtle and fresh color tones with brighter accents
  • Lighting: natural lighting with large windows and bright interiors

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