Vocational School BBS

A Facade Retrofit

Before LEE²DESIGN, Kathrin Lee worked with German architecture firm Hüdepohl Ferner on a facade retrofit of a vocational school in Osnabrück, Germany. The original 1980s structure was facing numerous issues; its prefabricated concrete surface was degrading and its walls did not have sufficient insulation. Furthermore, while the roof had been retrofitted years prior, and the architects had created an overhang to provide ventilation in anticipation of future work, the roof edge could no longer accommodate the space for a new facade system in lieu of recent energy codes. So, Kathrin proposed a design that strategically incorporated perforated metal panels into the roof eaves detail, facilitating the retrofit while also maintaining necessary ventilation. The result was a well-insulated, contemporary structure clad with fiber cement panels that met the programmatic needs of the project. And by using different colors on the exterior, the scheme visually emphasized the stacked building volumes, dividing the large school into smaller sections to create a more welcoming and approachable academic environment. 

Location: Osnabrück, Germany

Year Completed: 2018

Collaboration: Hüdepohl Ferner

Image Credits:

Hüdepohl Ferner, LEE²DESIGN