WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH, a subsidiary of wbg Nürnberg GmbH real estate company, has been commissioned by the City of Nuremberg, as part of a public-public partnership (PPP) as the client to realise the new Martin-Behaim-Gymnasium (MBG) building.
In August 2019, an open two-phase competition was organised for the construction of the new school building as well as seven gymnasiums - four of them for the MBG and a further three for the neighbouring Neues Gymnasium Nürnberg - and a canteen for both schools.
The aim of the competition was to design a new building that would not only allow the introduction of the of the "competence-orientated curriculumPLUS", but also to bring about a pedagogical paradigm shift. This means that the spatial and pathway relationships for teachers and pupils will change and learning environments are created that fulfil current pedagogical concepts.
The grammar school previously accommodated around 750 pupils and over 70 teachers and will provide space for around 1,500 pupils and around 150 teachers in the future.
Shortly before the 2022 summer holidays, the pupils, teachers and school management of Martin-Behaim-Gymnasium, including Globus, moved into the rooms of the old Bertolt-Brecht-Schule. In the meantime, the previous building has been demolished and the preparatory construction work has been carried out. The civil engineering work has now been completed to such an extent that the foundation stone can now be laid in the presence of Lord Mayor Marcus König.
The new buildings will be constructed in a particularly sustainable manner using pure timber. The stairwells and the basement floors will be largely made of recycled concrete. The demolition material could be reused. The renaturalisation of the Fischbach stream provides the opportunity to create new ecological niches and at the same time make the stream an experience for the pupils.
The plans were drawn up by Caramel architektInnen ZT-GmbH, Vienna. WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH is investing around 188 million euros in the project. Completion is currently expected in summer 2026.
"I am delighted that WBG KOMMUNAL has given us the opportunity to lay the foundation stone for the new Martin-Behaim-Gymnasium at this location. This is not only a new school building, but also the first construction phase for a new school campus together with the Neues Gymnasium Nuremberg. We are investing a lot of money in education here and thus in the future of our society," explained Lord Mayor Marcus König at the laying of the foundation stone.
"Here, we are creating the best conditions for modern and forward-looking pedagogy. In a few years' time, a beacon for learning and education will have been created here that will be enjoyed by many generations of pupils and teachers," says Cornelia Trinkl, Head of Schools and Sport, with conviction.
"We were happy to take on the task of building a future-orientated school campus on the same site. We are delighted to be able to construct sustainable buildings with timber construction, recycled concrete, geothermal energy and PV systems, as well as a high energy standard. By partially opening up the previously piped Fischbach stream and creating natural green islands, we are happy to contribute to the well-being of the people in our city," says wbg Managing Director Ralf Schekira.
