Eikeli School, Bærum

Eikeli high school, in Hosle in Bærum, was built in 1960 and at the time considered the most modern and attractive high school in Akershus. The school is now recognised as a building significant for the cultural environment and cultural heritage in Bærum in the municipality´s local plan. This was an important consideration in the planned climate-friendly expansion of the school.

The number of students has increased, which made it necessary to expand and renovate the school and to build new multi purpose community facilities. Now the school can accommodate 720 students. The renovation of the existing building of 2080 m² gross area gives universal access to the canteen, the gym hall and secondary rooms.

The school´s façade, parts of the existing entrance, parking and adjoining open area are largely unchanged. The site boundaries and topography limit the expansion possibilities, and the extension is therefore located on the northern part of the school area. The extension includes a sports hall, teaching areas, offices for administration and a garage/storage space as well as a new outdoor recreation area, in total 4523 m² gross area.

Lerche Architects were responsible for the building program and the detail zoning plan in collaboration with Arkitektformidling AS, a group of technical consultants, the school itself, the site´s owner – AFK Eiendom FKF, the regional government body in Akershus and the municipal administration for Bærum kommune.

The detailed zoning plan for the property was approved by Bærum municipality in 2017. BREEAM-NOR has been used in the pre-project and building phases to document achievements in greenhouse gas emission reduction, material use, indoor air quality, and other environmentally-relevant goals.

Eikeli school and sports hall is built as a plus energy building, meaning it will produce more electricity than it will use.

The existing school has a distinctive quality and character, with an expression based on glass, concrete, brick, rendered surfaces and natural stone. The new building is built with cross-laminated timber and other natural materials, but will continue the formal language of the existing building. The use of high quality, robust materials is a key goal. The façade´s openness is optimised based on sun, views, daylighting and enjoyment. Adjustable external sun shading is provided where necessary.

The project ensures that central landscape elements and as much as possible of the existing vegetation remains. A new green roof is established for the sports hall. A new outdoor square is created next to the teaching areas and outdoor training equipment will be installed north of the new building.

Eikeli high school will be used by local community clubs and groups as well as by the school.

PROJECT DETAILS

PROJECT TEAM

Map