Walkeweg

Primary School Walkeweg, Basel
Open two-stage competition 2022, 1st prize, under construction
Primary school with 18 classrooms
Construction start: May 2025
BKP 2: 41 million CHF
Client: Canton of Basel City
SNBS Gold

Architecture and general planning: Aequipe GmbH
General planning in collaboration with Perita AG as a joint venture (ARGE).
Other planners: Studio Céline Baumann, ZPF Engineers, Makiol Wiederkehr Timber Engineering, Lehm Ton Erde, Gartenmann Engineering, Graf Engineers, ePlan, Waldhauser Hermann.

The new Primary School Walkeweg is part of a new neighborhood, "Walkeweg," in Basel. As the only public building in the area, the school plays a formative and identity-creating role. Social sustainability and ecological construction are the driving forces behind the architecture of the project.

The buildings are predominantly made of wood and clay. Concepts such as low-tech design, natural ventilation, a water circulation system, and spatially integrated photovoltaic elements are implemented in a way that makes them experientially accessible for the students. The project includes three buildings, providing space for 18 classrooms, two gymnasiums, an auditorium, two kindergartens, and a day care facility. It is expected to be certified with the SNBS Gold label.

The life cycle assessment was already used as an important design tool during the competition phase. Throughout the planning process, comprehensive life cycle assessments were conducted, and various comparisons were made.

The greenhouse gas emissions of the Primary School Walkeweg for construction and operation over a period of 60 years are 7.2 kg CO2 per m² per year – approximately 54% less than a comparable school built in solid concrete construction and 35% below the target values of SIA 2040.

Aequipe is responsible for the architecture, while the general planning mandate is split between Aequipe (architecture) and Perita (construction management). During phases 31-33, Aequipe had overall project management, before Perita took over the leadership for phases 41-53.

The auditorium serves both the school and the neighborhood, as well as local associations. Sustainability and natural materials can also be directly experienced here by the students and integrated into the pedagogical daily life of the school.

The classrooms meet all the requirements for a flexible and modern school operation. Wood-clay vaulted ceilings, clay building panels, clay plaster, wood acoustic finishes, linoleum flooring, and operable windows contribute to a pleasant, bright, and natural indoor climate.