New addition to Children´s International School

Fredrikstad, Norway

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New addition to Children´s International School

Fredrikstad, Norway

Firm

Meter Arkitektur AS

Type

Educational › Elementary School

YEAR

2013

The two existing brick buildings that today house Childrens International School, were built in the 1980s as office and housing space for sergeants, quartermasters and officers (befal is the common designation) of The Army Defence in Norway. The articulated symmetry and roof structures of the two post-modern volumes, make them appear definite and autonomous rather than flexible.

In order to maintain the features of the existing buildings, the new addition is divided into several volumes that seem to be more or less flexibel and detached from one another. Size wise the new addition submits to the existing buildings. The physical dimensions of the addition are at their lowest were it connects to the brick buildings, and at their highest in the periphery of the structure.

In the design process of the new school addition, focus has been on creating a light and contemporary ambience that is in contrast to the existing post-modern brick buildings. Furthermore, focus has been on retaining a visual reference to the roof pitch of the existing structures.

The new composition consists of both small and large volumes, defined by the functions they hold. The dimensions of the spaces vary from small seating units (0,5 m x 0,5 m) to a music and dance room (10 m x 10 m). The wood boards on the outer facades have various widths and are painted white. The contrast between the post-modern buildings and their rugged brick texture, and the smooth white wood boards of the new addition, creates a dynamic ambience that enriches the architectonic qualities of the site.