St Ursula School

St. Ursula School, currently the largest school in Sopron, boasts a long history dating back to 1747 when it served as a Catholic educational institution. Established by the Order of St. Orsolya, which settled in Sopron, the school underwent continuous expansion, culminating in its present form in the mid-19th century within the historic city center. In a recent multi-phase renovation, this complex of buildings underwent further development, including rearrangement of its functional layout, reconstruction of historical values, and transformation into a modern school.

During the planning process, we explored various possibilities to address the institution’s challenges, such as classroom shortages and limited common spaces, through both minor internal interventions and major extensions, all while preserving the building complex’s inherent values. Initially, we identified unused reserves within the building by reorganizing interior spaces to optimize functions. Subsequently, we focused on specific expansion options to gain additional usable space, such as covering internal courtyards and creating terraces and floors. Our approach aimed to blend the old and the new harmoniously, ensuring that new additions seamlessly integrated with the historic fabric in a unique and contemporary manner. Throughout the design process, we carefully considered the existing building’s features, architectural values, modern school requirements, and accessibility needs. Thorough observation and analysis of the building’s spatial structure were key to solving this complex task. In many instances, the building itself revealed hidden secrets that guided us in finding solutions to specific challenges. The design and construction processes were characterized by an intense and educational dialogue between the building and all involved actors, resulting in a successful realization of the project.