Höhenkirchen – Erich Kästner School could move next to the high school – district of Munich

The Erich Kästner School was built in Höhenkirchen more than 70 years ago – “under the mayor Sebastian Kößler, according to the plans of the architect Carl Wolfram,” says a plaque in the entrance area of ​​the building. If those gentlemen were to pay a visit to the elementary and middle school today, they would hardly be able to recognize them. Because in the past decades the building has been expanded, rebuilt and modernized several times; Most recently, a new modular building with eight classrooms and additional specialist rooms went into operation in September.

Its age and changing building history can be seen in many places on the school building, which is why the Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn municipal council has been discussing a general renovation or even a new building for a long time. A feasibility study was commissioned in 2021 as the basis for a decision on how to proceed. The architects Sitzberger have now presented the results to the municipal council.

Accordingly, all three variants examined can in principle be implemented. First: a refurbishment and restructuring of the stock. Second: the demolition of the gymnasium and bungalow to make room for an extension. And thirdly: a new building on the municipal property east of the high school. According to the rough cost estimate, the latter could cost between 26 and 45 million euros, while option one would cost up to 27 million euros and option two up to 33 million euros. In addition, there would be the costs for a double or triple gymnasium, since the existing hall is far from meeting the requirements.

“We now have three alternatives that we can look at and develop further.”

“I’m happy with the result,” said CSU local councilor Peter Guggenberger about the feasibility study. “We now have three alternatives that we can look at and move on to. And we know what financial burden we need to have in mind.” Architect Verena Maiwald had previously explained to the municipal council how the individual variants could be implemented. The school administration would move into the bungalow if the existing building were restructured. The current gymnasium would remain as a flexible space, while the school would continue to rely on the newly opened modular building – although this has currently been approved as an interim solution for ten years, as Mayor Mindy Konwitschny (SPD) interjected. With this solution, the work would have to be staggered into several construction phases, which is why it is likely to take several years.

Rector Torsten Bergmühl (left, with Silke Schmidt and Florian Kubiak) received the “XRXplorer School” award for the school in September.

(Photo: Claus Schunk)

The second variant, which envisages an extension on the area of ​​the gymnasium and bungalow, would go a little faster. With this solution, according to the legal requirements, the school would no longer be dependent on modular construction, so that it could also be used for other purposes, said Konwitschny. In the case of a new building at the grammar school, a successor solution for the previous school would have to be considered. Although the community property is lush at first glance, this impression is deceptive, said Verena Maiwald, who referred, among other things, to the line of sight to the Leonhardikirche, which limits the possibilities. “It can work there, but it’s pretty cramped and tight,” stressed the architect.

The municipal council must now decide whether the school will actually be built from scratch or remain in its current location. Rector Torsten Bergmühl emphasized after the presentation that he himself would be happy to offer advice and answer questions. The feasibility study is just a first step on the way to making a decision about the future of the Erich Kästner School, Mayor Mindy Konwitschny said in conclusion. Further steps are to follow next spring.

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