Helle School
This is a new elementary school for 280 students, built to replace two existing schools.
It is situated in a natural and undulate area with great possibilities for outdoor activities
"The main building is long, and streches its two arms out to embrace the students and other visitors to the school”, according to the architects.
The fasade is divided by a combination of big areas of stained glass, environmentally friendly Kebony cladding, stone cladding and coloured wooden laminated plates. All the classrooms face southeast, all assembly rooms face northwest.
The surrounding nature is being used actively by Helle school. Gangways from the back side of the building give the students easy access to the forest, where they are met by outdoor classrooms with benches and decking
Mr. Dag Haraldsen, Børve & Borchsenius:
-The Kebony cladding is our answer to the owners’ wish of a no maintenance facade. At the same time it is the answer to our own wish of an environmentally friendly cladding with a beautiful look, that remains beautiful without maintenance, and ages with dignity.
We have chosen two solutions for the Kebony parts: One gives a very subtile expression, where the cladding becomes silky grey over time by playing with the wind, rain and sun. The other is a solution where the cladding is unprotected under big roofs, and gets to keep the beautiful warm kebonized look instead of turning grey.
The children of this school are familiar to wood and panels from there homes, and recognize our choice of materials. This gives them a sense of comfort and security.
Helle school is situated in a natural plot with lots of pine trees.
The warm and golden aesthetics of Kebony gives an association to the pine legs, and utterly strengthens the bonds between the new building and the old natural surroundings.
We have chosen to combine Kebony with veneer plates with a warm expression. Together they make an entity – teamplayers with the nature and the beautiful plot.