Peter Zumthor: School in Churwalden

The district school in Churwalden is an early and little-known work by the famous Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. It is the extension of an existing school on the northwestern outskirts of the village Churwalden. The school complex consists of several buildings, with the extension designed by Peter Zumthor referring to two buildings with classrooms and a gymnasium. Like the existing buildings of the school, the three new buildings follow the course of the slope. This creates a staggered complex of successive structures. An advantage of this school complex is the direct contact between kindergarten, primary school and upper school. The buildings of Peter Zumthor are made of concrete blocks, and are covered by pitched roofs. Access to the two buildings with classrooms is via a two-storey portico with elegant columns. The classrooms themselves develop over two floors. Access is from the main corridor to a first workroom. An individual staircase leads to the upper floor, where the main classroom is located. This room opens to a garden at the back of the building. The gym is similar in cross-section to a 3-nave church. The interior shows that the shape was developed from the supporting structure which runs along the length of the gymnasium.

(text source: archipicture.eu)