Small town colleges always have an urbanistic challenge of scale. It is a problem of the demand for a large building in a context dominated by single family and small multifamily buildings. To tackle this, we decided to create a neighborhood institution, where the overall expression features a terraced and subdivided configuration that pays homage to the architectural typology found in the old town of Burgdorf. This design is reminiscent of the stepped rooflines for civic buildings historically prevalent in that area, while also echoing the characteristic gestures of early industrial buildings combined with the naïve image of the typical pitched roof house, which covers the surrounding context. This results in a structure composed of staggered concrete forms, each strategically depicted along the street, fostering a unique urban yet neighborly presence.

The new Technical College Burgdorf is divided volumetrically into three parts by four core buildings. The core buildings, made of concrete, form four volumes between which three wooden workshops span. This creates a building made of staggered concrete structures that are depicted along the public street space, each connected to a deeper and further set back wooden structure. The terraces created in this way allow an extended outside space on the higher floors as well as the use of skylights for the use of daylight. The facades of the factory halls open to the north and south with extensive glazing and bring daylight deep into the workshop rooms on all floors.

Each concrete volume is intricately connected to set-back wooden structures, creating a layered effect. The arrangement of these buildings generates terraces that provide extended outdoor spaces adjacent to the higher floors, creating additional opportunities for interaction with the campus environment. The facades of the factory halls are purposefully designed to open both to the north and the south, featuring extensive glazing that provides an abundance of natural light. The combination of these formal gestures and functional elements, blending the historical context of Burgdorf with contemporary expressions and work conditions. The new Technical College Burgdorf stands as a testament both to respect and to innovation, a true neighborhood institution.