Extension of the Anne Beffort school building
The extension to the Anne Beffort school building was inaugurated on Thursday, 5 February.
Owing to the ever-increasing growth in the local population, the school needed additional facilities to make the most of its ideal location in the heart of the up-and-coming district of Kiem.
The original Anne Beffort school building (1987-1990) and its multi-purpose hall (early 2000) were designed by architects Perry Weber et Associés, who were also commissioned for this extension project, and who developed the project around the idea of aesthetic and functional continuity.
In response to the needs expressed by the City of Luxembourg's Service Enseignement (Education Department) and Service Foyers scolaires (Childcare Department), the architects proposed:
- an extension, comprising 11 new classrooms, five auxiliary rooms, a conference room, sanitary facilities, service rooms (cleaning, storage etc.), equipment rooms, and a reheating kitchen;
- a new foyer scolaire (childcare centre) for around 250 children, with six activity rooms, sanitary facilities scaled to accommodate the number of children, a snack kitchen, a multi-purpose room, a workshop, miscellaneous service rooms (cleaning, storage, laundry, showers etc.), and an outdoor play area;
- pending the renovation of the existing school building – which involved bringing it into functional and technical compliance, and upgrading the overall safety of the building to current standards and regulations – most of the structure that had previously served as the caretaker's accommodation was demolished, and only a small part was retained and converted into a library. The extension houses new accommodation for the caretaker;
- the existing covered courtyard at the rear of the building was demolished to make way for a new and bigger one;
- the public path leading to the homes behind the school was retained, but altered to suit the layout of the extension.
Description
To streamline construction and operating costs, the architects proposed building one new compact building that could meet all of the school's educational and extracurricular requirements. This involved grouping together the equipment rooms and the shared sanitary and service facilities with the elementary school and foyer scolaire functions.
Owing to the layout of the different functional spaces that were proposed in the project, rooms in the foyer scolaire could be converted into classrooms if necessary, without incurring significant costs.
The U-shaped arrangement of the service facilities creates a central multi-purpose space where the children can enjoy leisure activities outside the traditional classrooms. These spaces can also be used for a range of different indoor games. Other smaller social spaces are interspersed along the passageways between the different classrooms and activity rooms.
Although the extension is clearly distinguishable from the existing school, owing to its contemporary design, the use of terracotta on large sections of the facades creates a continuity with the original structure.
The energy concept is in line with today's major climate-change challenges for this type of project. The engineering firm in charge of the technical studies obtained a category B energy passport.
Most of the roof is covered with vegetation (green roofs), which optimises the performance of the photovoltaic panels. The flat roofs are fitted with technical equipment designed for low-energy buildings (solar photovoltaic panels & modules connected to an underground ice tank).
The new building's design takes into account the existing topographical features through the inclusion of suitable support structures.
The use of active slabs helps to cool the occupied premises during periods of very hot weather.
Most of the facades are clad with compact laminate panels featuring a playfully irregular pattern.
Parts of the facades are clad in terracotta bricks that are similar in size and colour to the ones in the existing building.
The access between the garage and the kitchens is covered with a coating applied on a thermal insulation backing.
In designing the extension, the architects sought to make the most of natural lighting. The facades were designed to prioritise natural light in the most frequently used areas, and a variety of unobtrusive sun protection systems have been installed for maximum user comfort.
The overall design of the project draws on state-of-the-art technology.
Key dimensions:
- extension's total useful floor area: 4,866 m²
- extension's total volume: 25,865 m³
Exteriors
A new covered courtyard has been built. It can easily accommodate the children during inclement weather.
The existing school yard, extending beyond the covered courtyard at ground level, has been upgraded. It now includes an area for pupils in Cycles 2-4.
At ground level, there is now a new school yard with an enclosed area featuring suitably adapted game modules for Cycle 1 pupils. The overhang of part of the extension serves as a covered courtyard for the children. The surfaces of both school yards have been treated with a hard, water-permeable, coloured material with embedded cushioned areas around the game modules, and feature a series of alternating humps and hollows that children will enjoy exploring. On the other hand, the multi-sports court in the school yard for children in Cycles 2-4 features a standard surface covering.
In front of the canteen, at the school yard level, is a 72-place outdoor terrace area. It is protected by two retractable awnings.
At the Rue Anne Beffort entrance to the extension is a bike and games shelter and a porch. Both feature flat roofs and terracotta brick facades.
Running parallel to the south facade is a 23-space car park for school staff. This can also be used for deliveries for the school kitchen.
A row of medium-sized trees will serve as a buffer between the car park and the extension's south facade.
The site is fully secured, including with appropriately designed metal fencing around the areas accessible to the children.
Timeline
- 08/04/2020: College of Aldermen approves the final project
- 18/05/2020: Municipal Council approves the final project
- 14/06/2021: Building permit granted
- 15/10/2021: Environment Agency approval
- 01/11/2021: Start of preparatory works
- 21/06/2022: Cornerstone laying ceremony
- 20/02/2023: Topping-out ceremony
- 15/09/2025: Commissioning of the new building
- 05/02/2026: Opening ceremony
Construction stages
The works schedule was designed to allow the existing school to continue to operate.
- Demolition / earthworks / structural work: 2022
- Waterproofing / facades / completion of structural work: during 1st half of 2023
- From interior finishings to exterior landscaping: 1st half of 2023 to mid-September 2025
Building cost
- Approved estimate: €26,331,472.87 (Municipal Council vote of 18/05/2020; including fees and taxes)
- Approved revised estimate: €35,357,108.11 (Municipal Council vote of 31/03/2024; including fees and taxes)
Grants intended for the construction of the school building were awarded by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (Ministère de l’Éducation nationale, de l’Enfance et de la Jeunesse), as well as by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (Ministère de l'Environnement, du Climat et du Développement durable).
Project owner
City of Luxembourg – Service Bâtiments (Building Department)
Project manager
- Architecture: Architectes Perry Weber & Associés
- Civil engineers: TR Engineering S.A.
- Technical engineers: RMC Consulting
- Inspection authority: Luxcontrol
- Soil survey: WPW Geoconsult
- Building experts: Eneco S.A.
Construction trades
- Structural works: Costantini S.A., LT Enrobage S.A.
- Roofing: Jacobs & Sohn GmbH, Jängi Kremer & Fils Sàrl
- External joinery: Metalica Home Sàrl
- Laminated panel facades: Prefalux Construction S.A.
- Facades: Peinture Phillipps Sàrl
- Scaffolding: Lux-Échfaudages Sàrl
- Electricity works: EGDL S.A., AET sàrl, TEC Equipements S.A.
- RENITA-network electricity works: Soc. Mom. ConnectCom – EPT
- HVAC and sanitary installations: Gabbana Sàrl
- Elevator: Otis Luxembourg S.à.r.l.
- Solar photovoltaic installations: Wagner Electric Solutions
- Painting: Lux Decor Peinture S.A.
- Screed and tiling: Maroldt Sarl
- Plastering / False ceilings: Schnur Système Sàrl
- Flexible floor covering: Brisbois s.àr.l.
- External facilities: CEB Aménagements Sàrl
- Sun shades: Feuer & Stein Sàrl
- Kitchen equipment: Nalis S.A.
- Interior joinery: Prefalux Construction S.A., Luxcreations sàrl, Hubert Schmit GmbH, Konzeptsaal Sàrl
- Fireproof doors: Ginge-Kerr Luxembourg S.A.
- Locksmiths: Ass. Mom. Bohlen BCM Sàrl - Origer S.A., Ets Osch & Fils Sàrl
- Acoustic wall covering: TBS GmbH
- Painting: Réiserbann Peinture et Décorations
- Kitchen equipment: Luxcuisines Professional Sàrl, Raym. Weyland S.A.
- Signage: D-CO Sàrl
- Fittings and furnishings: Galerie Moderne sàrl, Telkea S.A.
- Connections: Kuhn Constructions S.A.
- Furniture: Emotec sàrl
- Cleaning: WISAG Cleaning Service S.à.r.l.
- Clearing: Polygone Sàrl
- Site security: GDL Security Sàrl
- Fittings and furnishings: Möbel Alvisse, Lux Fire Protection Sàrl, Marx Sàrl, Hospilux S.A., Creafil Sàrl, Reinert Sàrl
- Blackout blinds: Decoma
