Alexander von Humboldt School in Viernheim
" You cannot see into the future, but you can lay the foundations for something ‘future-oriented’ – because the future can be built. " – The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Modern, colourful and anything but your typical school: the floor design featuring ARTIGO rubber flooring from objectflor is one of the highlights in the new canteen area at the Alexander von Humboldt School in Viernheim.
As the school day now often extends into the afternoon, the demands placed on the design and facilities of schools are also increasing. In Viernheim, the school complex – comprising a secondary modern school, a secondary school and a grammar school – has been extended to include an annexe housing a canteen and a cafeteria. Covering around 270 m², the space provides an area for shared meals, socialising and relaxed breaks.
The Viernheim-based architect Roland Träger has made an expressive floor design the central design element in the transparent, semi-circular extension. The flooring used is ARTIGO KAYAR, a rubber floor designed by the renowned design studio Sottsass Associati. Incorporated coconut fibres give the surface a distinctive texture and a natural look. Combined with the vibrant colours, this creates a lively atmosphere that stands out clearly from the traditional design of school spaces.
ARTIGO rubber flooring as a colourful eye-catcher
In the canteen and cafeteria area, a bright green arch in ARTIGO KAYAR K72 at the edge of a grey area in ARTIGO KAYAR K21 emphasises the dynamic shape of the extension. For evening events, the movable partition between the two areas can be opened to create a spacious open-plan area.
The long corridor, too, is transformed into a striking feature by the flooring design. The intensely bright green ARTIGO KAYAR K73 rubber flooring is complemented by markings in the style of a tape measure. These visually break up the length of the corridor and lend it a sporty touch. Bright orange wall panels featuring quotations from the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt provide a striking contrast.
For architect Roland Träger, the design of school classrooms comes with a special responsibility. He refers to the idea from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s *The Little Prince* that, whilst one cannot see into the future, one can lay the foundations for it. For him, this idea sums up the role of architects: the future can be shaped and built.
