The new Oskar-Paret School in Freiberg am Neckar represents the city’s largest urban education project to date. Designed for around 1,500 students from the high school (Gymnasium), secondary school (Realschule), and community school, the campus follows a transparent, open-concept approach. This openness is reflected in the architecture: the school presents itself as a “small city,” with a central cafeteria as a marketplace, a connecting boulevard, and a series of smaller courtyards and auxiliary spaces.

Under our site supervision, a spacious school park was created as a green space for recreation and movement. Students can enjoy climbing structures, ping pong tables, and a slackline during breaks. Themed learning courtyards incorporate content from biology and chemistry, serving as outdoor classrooms. A school garden with diverse planting beds supports hands-on environmental education.

On the south-facing slope, heritage fruit trees were planted and accompanied by a regionally native wildflower mix to promote biodiversity. Along the berm by the highway, more than 30 native trees and approximately 330 shrubs reinforce the nature-based design concept. Additional trees, expansive lawns, and a barbecue area enhance the school park’s overall appeal. Terraced stairways connect the courtyards directly to the park, offering practical access from the classrooms and making them usable as work yards.

Green roof terraces on the first floor provide a gentle transition between the building and the park. With paved surfaces and grassy areas, they serve as additional outdoor learning and relaxation zones. Raised planters with large shrubs provide shade and expand the green space. The eastern school plaza forms the entrance to the new campus and marks the beginning of Freiberg’s future town center.