A striking new elementary school has opened in Graz-Reininghaus, Austria, featuring an innovative concrete skeleton structure enhanced with distinctive red pigments that soften the traditionally harsh appearance of exposed concrete. Designed and implemented by dreiplus Architekten, a firm with offices in Graz and Innsbruck, the Volksschule Reininghaus represents a thoughtful approach to contemporary school architecture.

The school is located in Graz-Reininghaus, a major development area in the western part of the city that is being built on the site of a former brewery. This new district is designed to accommodate up to 10,000 residents, with many of the buildings already completed, including numerous structures built using timber construction methods. The elementary school, which opened last year, serves as a cornerstone of this growing community.

The Austrian Volksschule system is equivalent to elementary or primary schools in other countries. The Volksschule Reininghaus accommodates 20 classes and forms part of a larger educational campus alongside a secondary school. The school environment seamlessly integrates with the surrounding public spaces, following the masterplan's guidelines that prioritize car-free zones throughout much of the area. The school's outdoor spaces were designed by Studio Boden, another locally-based firm.

The three-story school building spans a gross floor area of 6,135 square meters and prominently displays its skeletal construction system on the facade. The red pigments incorporated into the concrete significantly reduce the material's typically harsh appearance, creating a more welcoming and child-friendly aesthetic. The elongated building form incorporates strategic recesses and roof terraces, making the entire structure more playable and accessible for children.

The facade structure continues with empty panels in some areas, creating pergola-like walkways that provide weather protection for students and staff. The ground floor also features setbacks that enhance the quality of entrance areas by offering shelter from rain and intense sunlight. These design elements demonstrate careful consideration of local climate conditions and user comfort.

The building operates as a "Patschenschule," meaning children enter through a central cloakroom where they change from street shoes to house slippers. From this central entry point, students move through the building via a main corridor and two staircases. A central plaza consisting of an auditorium and dining hall is also located along the main corridor, serving as the social heart of the school.

The upper two floors are organized into five clusters, each containing four classrooms, restroom facilities, and an open learning area. The ground floor houses additional facilities including offices, specialized classrooms, and a library. This cluster organization promotes smaller learning communities within the larger school structure.

The architects have consistently applied their understated yet thoughtful design approach throughout the interior spaces. The concrete structure panels are filled with various materials including wood, lime sandstone, and plastered surfaces in some areas. The flooring combines terrazzo tiles with extensive use of parquet, creating warm and inviting learning environments that balance durability with comfort for the young students who spend their days in these spaces.