MORE ABOUT: Realschule in Eching- Eching, Germany

Building: Realschule (Secondary School) in Eching
Location: Eching, Germany (outskirts of Munich)
Architect: Diezinger & Kramer
Structural Engineer: Ostermair + Pollich, Freising

The primary Structure implemented in this project is reinforced concrete. As seen in the wall section, titled bb, the walls are constructed with 250 mm reinforced concrete that is covered with 110 mm composite thermal insulation (6). The horizontal shading elements (14) are precast conctrete elements with a void closed at its side (15) in order to reduce its weight. These horizontal elements are hung on the exterior of the wall with a reinforcement connection that is thermally insulated. Within these precast horizontal elements are a buil- in fixing for a sunshade cable (20). The roof is a simple flat roof with a pronnounced parapet. The roof consists of 260 mm reinforced concrete a sealing layer, vapor barrier, insulation, stainless steel sealing layer, and a layer of gravel. The parapet is simply fitted with a flashing cap for proper drainage. The windows are sliding windows with double glazing (17). Cost was minimized by using simple forms of construction and cost effective materials like composite thermal insulation system and industrially manufactured windows.

Wall section bb

The following plan detail shows the placement of a typical 250 mm reinforced concrete (24) column in relation to the exterior wall.

Plan detail showing reinforced concrete column

The follwing detailed sections are of the connection between the foyer and the rest of the building, which is four stories tall and is capped with a large sunlight to “create a generouse, open spatial atmosphere”. As seen in the sections the span across the foyer is constructed using steel I- beams that are 200 mm deep (14, 15). Hung from that steel structure is an aluminum grate (13) to dissipate any direct lighting. The steel structure is simply attached to the concrete walls with a steel plate and bolts. Essentially the building is two seperate reinforced concrete structures that are connected with a simple steel structure that acts tas the foyer and circulation space. The foyer is covered with a four-layer polycarbonate hollow cellular slabs that are translucent (4). The polycarbonate is supported by a rigid aluminum structure (6) that directly sits on the reinforced concrete walls. Because the foyer is only a ciculation space it was unnecessary to insulate the polycarbonate roof. As seen in te section the insulation in only found in the classroom spaces that surround the foyer.

Section of entire building

Detail of foyer roof and wall connection

All photos and information is credited to Detail Magazine 2007 Volume 4