Marcus Nitschke

Rethinking school – learning in a refined shell construction

How can existing building structures be used for contemporary education? Marcus Nitschke, Managing Director of D:4 Architekten Berlin, shows at SCHULBAU Berlin how a temporary primary school is being created from two commercial units in a residential tower.

New learning spaces within existing buildings
With the project “Haus Liese am Campus Hedwig” in Berlin-Lichtenberg, D:4 is developing an exceptional solution to the growing demand for school space. On a limited footprint, a learning environment is being created for up to 72 children, taught in three mixed-age groups.

The architectural concept follows the guiding idea of “refined shell construction.” Visible load-bearing structures are preserved and complemented by reduced, reversible fixtures. A deliberate color scheme aids orientation and creates an environment that meets the diverse needs of the children.

Particular attention is paid to spatial perception and the needs of neurodivergent children. Light, materiality, and color are deliberately used to support orientation, well-being, and independent learning.

Architecture with perspective
The project demonstrates the potential of repurposing existing buildings. Reusable structures enable flexible adaptations while also providing valuable insights for future school construction projects.

In a joint Experts Lab with Willi Kayser of Fabromont AG, Marcus Nitschke shares insights into the architectural considerations and the practical implementation of the project.

The speaker

Marcus Nitschke is Managing Director of D:4 Architekten in Berlin. At SCHULBAU, he presents the project “Haus Liese am Campus Hedwig” and explains how existing building structures can be transformed into child-friendly, flexible learning environments.

Experience the Experts Lab at SCHULBAU Berlin!