BÜLOWSVEJ SCHOOL

The school at Bülowsvej consists of individual buildings that are spread out across a rudimentary city block in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen. As one of the school’s buildings was to be demolished due to severe dry rot infestation, the project offered a chance to both connect the different school buildings and build a new section for elementary school children to close off the block towards the street. The plans for the new school consisted of a complex program in three parts: a new building, the refurbishment of the existing school – with a new media centre – and a master plan for the large school yard.

The new building is organized as a straight grid divided into three rows of four units. To accommodate different needs and create variation, the units are reorganized from story to story by the means of a series of basic Tetris-inspired shapes. The three rows contain different functions and are organized accordingly. The rows towards the street and the school yard contain class rooms while one in between holds flow areas and common areas for breaks and group work.

As opposed to most schools located in city centres the Bülowsvej School is very green. The buildings are tied together by the large green yard, which is an integrate part of the school’s daily life and infrastructure. The master plan for the new school yard forms an extension of the interior spaces – it complements the common areas and forms an active learning space.

Right from the beginning, a minimized use of energy has been an essential design parameter for the new building. I.a. the roof is shaped so that solar cells can be placed optimally for the production of electricity. In addition, the building’s organization is very flexible and ensures a long lifetime, which makes it possible to change the building according to future needs and changing education principles with a minimal use of resources.