březno primary school

The revitalization of Březno Primary School envisions a dynamic educational and civic hub that seam-lessly integrates with the town’s historic and natural landscape. Rooted in an “excavated mass” concept, the architecture draws inspiration from the region’s mining activities on the soil, featuring angular forms and a translucent central courtyard that fosters openness and interaction. The perme-able ground floor connects the school to the urban fabric, dissolving barriers between education and community life. Thoughtfully designed learning spaces, from specialized laboratories to flexible multi-use areas, support both academic growth and public engagement.
The urban concept for the new school building stems from the analysis conducted on site on the urban fabric and on the intervention area. The masterplan investigates the creation of a diagonal urban axis that connects two key focal points: the historic center, in front of the municipal building, and the southern residential area, at the intersection of Čechova street. The intent of this intervention is to define a virtual axis along which the new structure should be developed. Moreover, this axis aims to preserve the framed view toward the town historic landmark on the hilltop: the Church of the saints Peter and Paul (Kostel svatého Petra a Pavla). In this way, the orientation of the proposed building establishes a dialogue with the town’s architectural heritage.

As a main aspect for the concept, the new building must ensure both easy access and permeability at the ground level. Its form is designed to maintain the site’s existing openness, while integrating a wider range of programs for both school activities and public events. It establishes relationships with its borders, inviting people to gather and move through the central courtyard. From the outside, the building mass is intended to be undoubtedly contemporary, echoing the design of timeless architecture. From the inside, it offers uninterrupted views through the internal common spaces. Upon completion, the project aims be visually prominent within the urban fabric, defining the town’s skyline and being easily recognizable by the community.

The ground volume is carved and divided into four blocks to allow permeability through the building mass. The intermediate volume is continuous to connect the building programs. At the top, two diamond-shape volumes emerge to complete the building mass. One of them is cladded in translucent glass, covering the horizontal slabs, to be seen as a beacon within the town’s cityscape during night. The vertical connections originate from the four ground blocks reaching the upper floors. Although the building’s mass is defined by sculpted volumes, angular cuts, and rotations, the interior distribution emphasizes simplicity and clarity of use. The functional program is meticulously organized throughout the building, with different sections dedicated to distinct functions, ensuring an intuitive flow of activities.

The footprint of the new building fits within a 60 x 66 meters rectangle. The exterior envelope is composed by three distinctive materials: stone, glass and translucent panels. The outside perimeter, is mainly covered by a stone cladding, giving the building a sort of monumen¬tality and solidness. The inside perimeter, is mainly covered by continuous glass panels, giving the building a sense of openness and transparency. Combining contemporary aesthetics with sustainability, the school prioritizes energy efficiency and innovative spatial configura¬tions, fostering a dynamic environment for learning and creativity while contributing to Březno’s identity as a forward-thinking, inclusive community. ▼read more