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>> PRESS RELEASE
FUNCTIONAL AND CLEAR DESIGN
The new auditorium of the Braunschweig Lessinggymnasium high school sports a
design reduced to the essentials. The A-Chair proves a perfect match.
Only six years ago, the media called it “the worst school in Northern
Germany”, but since then the Lessinggymnasium high school in Braunschweig has undergone extensive renovations – and it received a new
auditorium seating 350. Its design is reduced to the essentials. These
were also requirements the furniture had to fulfil according to architectural studio Dohle+Lohse. This is why the A-Chair made by Brunner
with its clear-cut formal language was selected.
In late 2009, the Lessinggymnasium high school in Braunschweig’s Wenden
neighbourhood sank to national ignominy. “Spiegel Online” reported at length
about what they called a “junk school”, and the satirical TV broadcast “extra3”
on NDR dubbed it the “worst school in Northern Germany” – so run-down was
the building fabric.
But over the past nearly six years, a lot has changed: The school has been
completely rebuilt, and an auditorium seating 350 has been added as well. The
new building was designed by Stefan Schwappach and Katharina Lohse of
Braunschweig architectural studio Dohle+Lohse. The opening took place early
this year (2015).
Press contact in Germany and Austria: con:text . Heike Bering . Phone +49 (0)711.7451 759-15 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Press contact in Switzerland: Andreas Stettler . Phone +41 62 550 55 05 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Your contact to the company: Brunner GmbH . Petra Bleyer . Im Salmenkopf 10 . D-77866 Rheinau, Germany . www.brunnergroup.com . Phone +49 (0)7844.402-619 . E-Mail: [email protected]
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Auditorium architecturally reduced to the essentials
The design is based on the original meaning of the term “αυλή”, dating back to
Homer and Greek antiquity. In this original sense of the word, the central large
auditorium forms a “well-lit courtyard surrounded by walls” providing room for
numerous activities by the school and the general public.
The basic architectural structure of this solitaire building is clear and reduced
to the essentials. Using only a few materials, like fairfaced concrete, glass, black
oak wood and terazzo, results in a sophisticated geometry of single cubes
which can be used as stage, theatre, or space for lecture or experiment. Fairfaced concrete ledges and offsets create a diverse and exciting sensation of
light and space.
A-Chair: its clear shape is convincing
Reduction to the essentials, flexibility and comfort – those were the requirements the furniture had to fulfil. In these respects, the A-Chair made by
Brunner, the contract furniture manufacturer from Baden/Germany, was found
convincing. “The A-Chair with its individual and clear-cut shape perfectly fits
into the overall architectural structure”, architect Schwappach is happy to
state. As a meaningful furniture object with an independent character, a high
degree of functionality and a clear-cut formal line, this stacking chair perfectly
underscores the puristic overall impression of this auditorium.
An essential component of the design by Stuttgart design studio jehs+laub
are the A-Chair’s slim legs. When placed in rows, the width of only one leg
is visible, exerting a tremendously calming effect overall. The frame made of
glass fibre reinforced plastic and the plastic seat shell appear as if made of one
piece. Matching the architecture of the auditorium, both are coloured lava.
Core Project Data
Project: New building of the auditorium of the Lessinggymnasium located in
Braunschweig-Wenden
Location: Heideblick 20, Braunschweig, DE
Architect: Dohle+Lohse Architekten GmbH, Braunschweig, DE
Awarding authority: Stadt Braunschweig, Fachbereich Hochbau und
Gebäudemanagement [Department of Building Construction and Real Estate
Management], DE
Opening: February 2015
Learn more at
www.dohle-lohse.de and www.brunner-group.com
Press contact in Germany and Austria: con:text . Heike Bering . Phone +49 (0)711.7451 759-15 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Press contact in Switzerland: Andreas Stettler . Phone +41 62 550 55 05 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Your contact to the company: Brunner GmbH . Petra Bleyer . Im Salmenkopf 10 . D-77866 Rheinau, Germany . www.brunnergroup.com . Phone +49 (0)7844.402-619 . E-Mail: [email protected]
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1 The solitaire building of the new auditorium is clearcut and reduced to the essentials.
(Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
2 The room for the spectators forms the “inner courtyard” like in antiquity; around it, the respective spatial
cubes are placed. (Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
3 Fairfaced concrete and big black drapes covering the
glass surfaces create clarity and strictness.
(Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
4 The furniture colour concept leads the gaze towards
the stage where the action takes place.
(Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
5 As if made of one piece: the A-Chair frame made of
glass fibre reinforced plastic and the lava coloured seat
shell. (Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
6 Contrasting materials create stand-alone architectural
impressions and identity for each spatial unity.
(Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
Press contact in Germany and Austria: con:text . Heike Bering . Phone +49 (0)711.7451 759-15 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Press contact in Switzerland: Andreas Stettler . Phone +41 62 550 55 05 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Your contact to the company: Brunner GmbH . Petra Bleyer . Im Salmenkopf 10 . D-77866 Rheinau, Germany . www.brunnergroup.com . Phone +49 (0)7844.402-619 . E-Mail: [email protected]
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7 Thanks to lava coloured plastic row linking elements,
the A-Chair can be linked chair-to-chair.
(Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
8 Thanks to the laminary light membrane ceilings in all
areas, rooms can be used flexibly and for a wide variety
of purposes. (Photography: Klemens Ortmeyer)
9 An essential component of the design by Stuttgart
design studio jehs+laub are the A-Chair’s slim legs. When
placed in rows, the width of only one leg is visible, exerting a tremendously calming effect overall.
(Photography: Brunner GmbH)
Press contact in Germany and Austria: con:text . Heike Bering . Phone +49 (0)711.7451 759-15 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Press contact in Switzerland: Andreas Stettler . Phone +41 62 550 55 05 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Your contact to the company: Brunner GmbH . Petra Bleyer . Im Salmenkopf 10 . D-77866 Rheinau, Germany . www.brunnergroup.com . Phone +49 (0)7844.402-619 . E-Mail: [email protected]
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About Brunner GmbH
The family-owned company founded in 1977 is run by Helena and Rolf Brunner together with the next generation, Dr. Marc Brunner and Philip Brunner.
The company has more than 400 employees. Business areas comprise
development, manufacturing and sales of high-quality chairs, tables and
contract furniture for offices and administrative buildings, public spaces and
health and social institutions.
The company’s headquarters are located in Rheinau (Baden), Germany, and
production takes place in the company-owned facility, specifically
recognising Germany as a great location for business and industry. This claim
to quality “Made in Germany” as well as the pronounced design competence
are Brunner hallmarks. Similarly, the cooperation with internationally
renowned designers like Wolfgang C.R. Mezger, Archirivolto, Martin Ballendat,
lss designer, jehs+laub and osko+deichmann is an integral part of Brunner
corporate culture.
“The passion for excellent furniture, great dedication and the ability to realise
what at first seems to be impossible are the basis which the company has
been built on since the very start.” Company founders Helena and Rolf Brunner
first defined this claim, which to date has lost nothing of its validity and
attraction. Dr. Marc Brunner, Tina Brunner and Philip Brunner are proud to continue to expand this tenet with the same passion.
Rheinau, September 2015
Reprint free of charge / copy for reference requested
Press contact in Germany and Austria: con:text . Heike Bering . Phone +49 (0)711.7451 759-15 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Press contact in Switzerland: Andreas Stettler . Phone +41 62 550 55 05 . E-Mail: [email protected] .
Your contact to the company: Brunner GmbH . Petra Bleyer . Im Salmenkopf 10 . D-77866 Rheinau, Germany . www.brunnergroup.com . Phone +49 (0)7844.402-619 . E-Mail: [email protected]