Revitalization of Březno Primary School

The construction of the new school is a great event for the village of Březno. It has the task to accommodate not only facilities for pupils but also to offer a wide range of leisure activities for all residents of Březno. The new building expands the volume of the existing gymnasium. It creates a compact and coherent development. It is located right at the intersection of the most active directions of movement in the village. It benefits from this premise. The passageway creates an equal gateway for arrivals from all directions and creates a completely new, lively and welcoming roofed space.

The proposal presents a well-thought-out solution that responds not only to the demand for a new school, but also for a local community center. It is a compact two-story building that logically connects to the existing gym and is oriented along the Hutná stream. On the ground floor, the volume of the building is divided into two parts by a sufficiently spacious and partially covered passage. On one side, this connects to functions such as the library and café, and subsequently to the gym, sauna, and sports hall. The main entrance to the school, the cafeteria, and the after-school club are also oriented towards this passage – a public space. This space has the potential to enrich life in Březno. On the second floor, there are classrooms and their support facilities. The layout is very clear, the combination of educational spaces is functional, and the classrooms are well naturally lit. The balance between teaching areas and spaces for relaxation, interaction, and communication is well-proportioned. The connection to the existing gym is very well solved, both functionally on the ground floor and with a pleasant terrace on the second floor. The use of the roof for a playground will likely require discussion. The architectural expression appears elegant and appropriate. However, the jury notes the need for a more careful approach to the exterior color and material design, which requires more detailed justification or further development. In the interior, it is evident that a warmer and more welcoming atmosphere is needed. The material and color palette used in the visualizations may come across as too austere or cold. The landscaping and exterior design also require further elaboration. The winning proposal is contextually grounded, timeless, and economical.

The proposal is based on the central location of the school in the village and the fact that the variety of operations, together with the impossibility of fencing off the site, leads to an open and varied functioning of the building. We do not want individual functions to disappear in the whole building, but we want each to have its place with a corresponding public space. This diversity of functions and spaces is further enhanced by the variety of materials, construction, and vegetation.

The proposal impressed the jury with its strong spatial structure and bold architectural-structural solution. Despite its complexity, the team managed to clarify the layout, rationalize the floor plans, and connect the building to the surrounding landscape context – especially the integration with existing greenery is seen as a major advantage. The quality of daylight in the classrooms and the overall internal logic of the layout were appreciated, as well as the strong authorial signature. A significant aspect to be developed further in the next project phases would be the refinement of the relationship to the existing sports hall, and particularly the technical and design detailing of the structure and façade. This is related to the necessary update of the estimated investment costs, which the jury found underestimated. The jury also recommends considering how to protect the timber-frame structure from weather impacts.

School spaces should function as innovative ecosystems, serving as shared learning environments for teachers, students, and the local community. This project draws inspiration from Loris Malaguzzi’s ‘third teacher’ concept, which emphasizes the environment’s role in children’s learning. The school serves as a dynamic setting where students are both actors and creators in an ever-evolving narrative, engaging in continuous learning through hands-on experiences. The design features expandable and transformable spaces, with flexible areas free from predefined uses, fostering unexpected and inspiring situations that promote learning through experimentation, communication, and research.

The proposal was appreciated for its clear and functionally logical layout. It offers good spatial relationships, a functional connection to the gym, and a quality integration of supporting functions such as a café. The appearance of the building partially evokes other typologies, such as a garden center. The jury mainly raises questions about the natural lighting of classrooms and compliance with current standards. A significant weakness is the design of the greenhouse on the third floor in the atrium, particularly given the specific local conditions – especially high dust levels. The issue of the underground level and the character of landscaping also remains open and should be further developed with respect to both functionality and aesthetics.

The town of Březno is situated in an exceptional landscape in the middle of nature. Mining in the past centuries has brought significant economic growth, but has also led to the destruction of the landscape and urban environment. In recent years, the town has begun a process of healing both the natural and cultural environment. Areas along streams, parks, and recreational areas are being exploited. The proposed school building attempts to exemplify a balance in which development does not conflict with the natural or existing built environment, but offers a perspective in harmony with both. The key to growth is education, and the school building can symbolise this.

Although other aspects of the proposal did not convince the jury, it contains a strong idea and an inventive concept of a uniquely designed central school element – a climatic atrium, which serves as both the architectural and community heart of the entire building. The jury grants an honorable mention primarily for this space, which combines the functions of a greenhouse, urban piazzetta, and outdoor classroom, offering wide usability across seasons and age groups through its variability.