The project is concerned with the implementation of a highly efficient thermal renovation of the facades and the roof.
With a magnificent view of the Zirbitzkogel, the LBS Knittelfeld is located in the centre of the Aichfeld region together with the WKO Styria apprentice house. Since its opening in 1983, a wide variety of professions in the field of metal technology have been taught here. Around 1300 pupils are currently taught here every year. The main load-bearing structure of the building is a reinforced concrete skeleton with ribbed ceilings, which was filled with in-situ concrete in a timber formwork. The thermal envelope of the façade consists of 8 cm of mineral wool, rear ventilation and façade panels, which form the water-bearing level. The façade panels show signs of wear due to external environmental factors. An attempt to revitalise the panels with a new coating was aborted after the test phase, as the new coating was in a worse condition than the existing coating after a short time.
The facade is designed as a prefabricated modular system, which means that school operations can continue largely undisturbed and the structural interventions in the interior are kept to a minimum. The construction sequence was developed in such a way that the buildings are renovated one after the other and the building site is occupied centrally via the inner courtyard.
A highly efficient, factory prefabricated modular façade is proposed, which includes all technical and future-orientated installations. The installations include a PV system for power generation, ventilation systems for the classrooms and pre-installed windows. The facade will be highly insulated and fitted with exceptional solar shading.
Architecturally, the building ensemble will be given a new appearance with the design interplay of the wooden façade, PV panels, aluminium elements and various colour nuances. The external appearance of the building parts is thus differentiated between school and home, so that the pupils no longer have the feeling of ‘I live at school’.
