Heinrich Kromer School

A familiar place, rethought

Location

Frankfurt am Main
Project

Construction of a new school campus
Procedure

Non-open design competition
Awarding authority

City of Frankfurt am Main
Architect of record

Caspar Schmitz-Morkramer
Landscape architecture

HKK Landschaftsarchitektur, Frankfurt am Main
Structural engineering

knippershelbig, Stuttgart
Technical building equipment

ee concept, Darmstadt
Fire protection

Lenz Weber Ingenierue, Frankurt am Main
Planning period

2025
Visualizations

Paul Trakies

The Heinrich Kromer School in Niederursel has an eventful architectural history. Over the decades, a village-like ensemble has evolved, characterised by its diversity, which creates identity and offers orientation, as well as lively open spaces. However, while the existing building has a pleasant atmosphere, it is not fit for purpose in the long term. Neither accessibility nor the requirements of a modern learning environment can be realised without significant compromises being made.

That is why we have opted for a completely new building, while retaining the character of the location. Instead, we are reinterpreting the familiar to create a forward-looking learning environment based on clear structures, high-quality facilities and functional synergies. Four compact structures — the main building, two cluster houses and a half-set sports hall — are organised into a campus with a strong identity, both inside and out. This architectural concept focuses on spatial clarity, sustainable materials and careful integration into the neighbourhood.

Spaces for today – and for tomorrow

The educational concept of the new Heinrich Kromer School is reflected in the thoughtful spatial organisation: the cluster houses are arranged around spacious learning centres that serve as open, flexible spaces for all-day learning, inclusion, and differentiation. This fosters an atmosphere that encourages both collaborative learning and individual support in the spaces between the classrooms.

The main building, which contains a foyer accessible from the new square and the schoolyard, is clearly structured and comprises a forum, library, specialist rooms and administration. This creates a meeting space that can also be used for events outside of school hours. The sports hall makes clever use of the terrain’s profile: partially lowered, it offers additional sports and recreational areas on its roof which are seamlessly integrated into the school campus.

A special element connects everything: the tree path on the second floor. Running in a loop between the four buildings, it creates a weather-protected access route and break areas on the first floor. On the upper floor, it acts as a learning and adventure landscape, marking central entrances and orientation points. This creates a second level that is functional, identity-forming and unique.

Creating open spaces - living sustainability

A new school building is more than just a structure; it represents a promise for the future. This is why we have placed particular emphasis on the design of the open spaces and ecological quality. In the south, the new neighbourhood square opens up the site to the neighbourhood, and in the north, a nature square is being created with a direct connection to the cycle path alongside the Urselbach stream. Here, an ecologically valuable riverside area with dismantled elements of the old open-air stage will be created as a publicly accessible educational area for nature and the environment.

The versatile, barrier-free schoolyard is zoned with green classrooms, a school garden and terrace. Covered bicycle parking spaces, well-thought-out rainwater management via retention roofs and cisterns, and species-rich planting with native trees and shrubs promote biodiversity, turning the site into a vibrant learning environment for sustainability.

Congratulations to: wörner taxler richter planungsgesellschaft and Mijaa Raummanufaktur Architekten with SHK+ Landschaftsarchitekten for 1st prize, BLK2 Architekten with schoppe+partner freiraumplanung for 2nd prize and Auer Weber HDK Dutt & Kist for 3rd prize.

caspar.team

Architect of record

Caspar Schmitz-Morkramer

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Project lead design
Johannes Feder

Design team
Jutta Göttlicher
Jonas Ritgen
Francisco Javier Vaz Cano
Marie-Elén Wehder