Trefalke School - Senior school in Frederiksberg

Address: Sønderjyllands Allé 2-4, DK-2000 Frederiksberg
Client: Frederiksberg Municipality
Landscape: Arkitema
Engineers: Erik K. Jørgensen
Building contractor: E. Pihl & Son A.S.
Size: 4,600 m², including ground floor
Construction: 2001

The new school is located in close proximity to Frederiksberg Higher Preparatory School, Frederiksberg Stadium, and the new Tre Falke Hall (also designed by Arkitema). The school forms a natural part of this neighbourhood, while at the same time acting as an independent unit in the overall complex. With its simple cubic form and large transparent surfaces, the school building signals an open and easily comprehended environment.
The central atrium – a three-storey high space that runs through the entire building – expresses the emphasis on creating fertile grounds for personal development in the school environment. The atrium is the whole school's daily meeting-place, and is used for special events such as school parties, theatrical performances, etc. Around its ground-floor perimeter lie various workshop functions, allowing the use of the atrium for activities, exhibitions, etc. This is also the location of the staff rooms and offices, where they are easily accessible for visitors. The central staircase provides access to the other floors, where the students move along open balconies with a view of the atrium. The balconies are 'active spaces' with work areas for small groups, which also function as local social meeting-places.
The balconies give access to the basic teaching areas, which are located in pairs, adjacent to each other. With the help of folding walls, the rooms can be combined to create large teaching areas for use in interdisciplinary projects. The flexible spatial organisation provides the potential for exchanges between the various courses, thereby meeting the different needs of the students.