Educational architecture at eye level with its students
The Skovbakke School is a two-storey primary school for 650 students and a daycare centre for 100 children. The school replaces an existing school and is in its scale, its architectonic expression and in its materials inspired by its surroundings: the neighbourhood and the public forest.
The use of pitched roofs and a human scale ensure identification. The experience of a welcoming school is emphasised in the school's layout as three structures which are oriented towards a central atrium, opening up to the surroundings and establishing many diverse and interesting landscaping and building spaces, both in the exterior and in the interior. Moreover, we have preserved as many of the original trees as possible as they convey a soft transition to the green surroundings. The few trees we had to cut down have been reused in the interior as furnishings. In addition, wooden sections accentuate all entrances, and, in the interior, the striking staircase is also made of wood.
The school has a special focus on exercise as a natural part of daily life. Thus, for example, the fire access routes in the common areas are designed as tracks for exercise, in each classroom there is an area designed specifically for physical activity and the school's multi-gym is directly linked to the common room, allowing the gym to be used as an active play and movement area during breaks.
The combination of high- and low-ceilinged, light and dimmed, small and large spaces allows the children to turn to different social situations – large assemblies, smaller groups or alone – depending on their needs and moods. In addition, the layout results in diverse outdoor spaces that can accommodate varying needs with regards to sunlight, shade and shelter.