K.U.SCH. :
Kapellerfeld Kindergarten Extension

The building complex housing the primary school and kindergarten in Gerasdorf-Kapellerfeld had to be extended for a second time. The artist group K.U.SCH. had designed the forecourt in 1989. In 1995 an extension had also been built according to a concept by K.U.SCH., and a new extension had become necessary once again in 2008. The first extension had already developed in a dialogue with the existing substance by the architect Ernst Mrazek. This time, too, K.U.SCH. have adopted basic elements, and evoke memories of the shapes and colouring of the old Anker building-block boxes with their project. Geometric shapes, like the circle, semicircle, triangle and square, along with the colours rust red, light ochre and a soft light grey define the object. The angle of the roof is adopted and continued for the positioning of the band of windows in the new building. Arches are quoted, turned around and placed in an ironic tension with the older elements of the building. Nothing is mere design; the entire volume is always taken into consideration and its exterior appearance made to harmonise with its functionality. Window openings are stamped into the façade as required — like a building set for kids. The design of the extension is strongly reminiscent of the early work phase of K.U.SCH., which was characterised by undercurrents of geometric abstraction. So too, similarly, respect for the architectural theories of Adolf Loos can also be felt. Formal reduction, symbolic validity and a clear colour scheme leave a great deal of leeway for the children's imagination.
(Christiane Krejs)