Highly innovative construction of school buildings: the modular timber school buildings developed by Blumer Lehmann specifically for educational facilities consist of two base models and combine rapid planning with optimal flexibility. Times and costs for planning and production are optimised. Schools built with modular timber construction can be designed both as temporary structures (to provide space when the number of school children increases rapidly) and as long-term replacement buildings. The base models ‘small’ and ‘large’ can be adapted to suit the specifics of each site and each set of requirements. What’s more, modular timber construction also fulfils all statutory norms as well as energy and structural requirements.

The idea:
Standardised, serially produced timber modules deliver flexible, high-quality teaching spaces for educational facilities within a short timeframe.

Implementation:
Two modular timber base models can be configured to suit each facility’s needs. Functional fixed spaces provide the foundation for planning, whether for a primary school, pre-school, nursery or secondary school.

The biggest benefit:
Children, young people and teaching staff all benefit from the healthy learning environment offered by timber modules. Clients enjoy the benefits of cost certainty, quality assurance and adherence to schedules. They can count on the verified quality of our standardised timber modules. Blumer Lehmann is a specialist with the right experience to take on the full planning, production and assembly process for these buildings.

The benefits for clients

  • Efficient and reliable planning and implementation
  • Base models can be adapted individually and flexibly to requirements and sites
  • Short planning times, rapid production and very short installation times on the construction site
  • Lower planning and construction costs
  • Reliable scheduling
  • No disruption to school operations – extension and conversion during the summer holidays
  • Long-term space planning and financing for schools
  • Various financing models
  • Sustainable construction with re-usable modules and natural construction materials
  • Individual design of floor plans, interior design and facades
  • Planning using Building Information Modelling (BIM)

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General view of the Schilfweg school, Dresden, in modular timber construction

The three-storey new building of the Schilfweg school in Dresden was constructed using the timber module hybrid construction method.

Advice from a timber module construction professional?

Timber modules, base model in small and large

Two fully optimised base models for timber modules come in small and large versions and offer everything a modern school or childcare facility needs. A range of options covers any other specific requirements. Different sizes are planned around two layout concepts, delivering timber-structure schools in the right combinations and configurations to suit every requirement. This results in unique and bespoke modular educational structures for 70 to 360 students that are tailored to each school’s needs. The timber modules can be used for structures of up to three storeys and can include as many primary spaces and infrastructure areas as necessary. The base models can be designed and utilised cleverly thanks to the versatile nature of the modules. 

Cross section of timber module, base model in small and large

Primary spaces in the modular timber school structure

Primary spaces are fixed room units that define the basic grid. The ingenious combination and arrangement of classrooms, group and intervention rooms results in a huge range of layout design options. With good planning, the modular design of the structure supports a wide variety of teaching styles.

Classroom:

At least three modular building units are combined to create a classroom providing space for 20 to 24 children or young people.

Group/separation room:

Accessible from two sides and comprising two modular building units, a separation room allows concentrated work in groups independently of classes

Primary spaces with classrooms, group/intervention rooms as fixed room units in the layout

School infrastructure areas in timber

Teachers’ room: Fitted out with a small kitchenette, the teachers’ room allows teaching staff to hold undisturbed conversations and prepare lessons.

Wet rooms: The size of the wet rooms is based upon the dimensions of the overall modular educational construction and is compliant with local directives.

Technical room: Electrical, heating and air-conditioning installations are housed in the technical room.

Stairwell: Internal access within the modular educational construction is provided via a stairwell as standard. External arcades in timber or steel, lifts or external access via external staircases can also be provided as an option.

Staff room, stairwell, wet rooms and plant rooms form the infrastructure areas

Virtual glimpse into a school made of timber

Timber school module

The 3D visualisation of a modular school shows the interior finishing and use of materials in a furnished classroom. The interactive tour provides a realistic experience of the space. Get a virtual glimpse.

3D visualisation affords a virtual glimpse into a school made of timber

Building technology in a modular school construction

A sophisticated building technology concept, adapted to a modular timber design, delivers safe and sustainable sanitary, heating, air-conditioning and electrical installations. The basic technical concept for modular timber school structures involves heat generation using an air source heat pump. Radiators allow for controlled heat distribution in the primary spaces and are either surface-mounted as standard or can be integrated into the window breast on request. Sanitary and electrical installations are fitted unconcealed as standard. Installing them in this low-tech way provides ease of access and allows them to be adapted to suit individual requirements. Vulnerabilities are minimised and building technology systems require less maintenance.

Primary spaces in a modular timber school with sophisticated building technology concept

Modern school building equipped with all the right technology

A central air outlet space in the infrastructure area, together with fresh air, ensure the rooms in modular timber constructions are efficiently ventilated. The doors and windows are also fitted with air vents. Where requested, the rooms can be equipped with a compact ventilation unit that is controlled by the CO₂ content of the air indoors. It also means that rooms can be cooled, allowing room temperatures to be controlled with accuracy. Another option is for the entire building to be equipped with a controlled ventilation system, or it can be fitted with a photovoltaic system for sustainable power generation. Such a sophisticated building technology concept means that sanitary, heating, air conditioning and electrical installations require little maintenance, are efficient and take up very little space in the school.

Staff room, stairwell, wet rooms and plant rooms form the infrastructure areas

School facade in timber

In the spotlight

Prefabricated facade elements offer protection and give modular timber schools their special character. Various cladding options are available for the facade design of the modular educational construction. Clients and architects can choose between a pure timber facade, PV surfaces or a combination of other materials. With individual facades and different surfaces, school buildings, children’s daycare centres or kindergartens can blend seamlessly into existing building complexes and offer inviting designs.

Facade elements offer protection and give character to modular timber schools

Facade design concept

With various options for arranging and dividing the facade elements and individual selection of materials, the character of the buildings can be adapted to the location.

Facade elements arranged differently and with a customisable choice of materials

Facade shading

Modern solar shading solutions complement the facade concept, casting shadows in a variety of ways and protecting the building against the wind and weather:

  • Awnings
  • Composite louvres
  • Folding sliding shutters
  • Sliding shutters
  • Continuous arcades
Modern sun protection solutions complete the facade design

High-precision modular school structure

The production line at the Blumer Lehmann factory makes more than 500 modular units a year under optimum conditions. A modular construction method with a high level of prefabrication significantly cuts down on build times, construction costs and time spent on the construction site, and guarantees the utmost in build quality.

Modular timber construction on the production line at the Blumer Lehmann factory

BIM – digital modular timber construction

Prefabricating standardised modules as well as digital planning and construction processes are the ideal parameters for using BIM to plan and implement every aspect of a project, regardless of scale. All companies involved in a project come together in the early stages to work on the same 3D model in an integrated and structured way, and all at the same time. Communicating with each other openly and on a regular basis is an important part of this. This renders all decisions, alterations and enquiries transparent and accountable. Investors, clients and architects can count on a high level of process certainty and construction quality and can gain an insight into the project at any time. Costs and schedules can be planned with precision.

Digital planning and construction processes create the best conditions for building with timber modules

Modular construction brochure

Educational space for the future

The brochure gives an overview of the schools of tomorrow; how both temporary and permanent modular school structures can be built in a modular timber design.

Brochure: Modular construction – Educational space for the future by Blumer Lehmann