Altes Schulhaus – Old Schoolhouse by KNAUSARCHITEKTUR – Katja Knaus Architektin BDA

The “Old Schoolhouse” in Altenschwand (Black Forest) was built in 1880 on the foundations of an earlier building and served as a school and town hall until 1973. After it ceased to function as a school, local clubs and associations used the building, but necessary renovations were neglected for a long time. Only through the dedication of a volunteer project group from the village community was the building’s transformation made possible – with over 10.700 hours of work and numerous donations.

The design aims to preserve the building’s identity and develop it in a contemporary way. The old building was completely gutted, and the ground floor was opened up to create a flexible community hall. A movable partition wall allows for different uses. The service functions were relocated to a single-story extension, which houses the kitchen, stairwell, restrooms, ancillary rooms, and barrier-free access. The understated structure blends in with the existing building, while simultaneously defining the schoolyard. A glazed foyer mediates between the interior and exterior spaces and strengthens the connection to the square.