Montessori Centre Nuremberg (Germany)
Space for self-directed learning: a sustainable school building for Montessori Zentrum Nürnberg
To expand its campus, Montessori Förderkreis Nürnberg e.V. commissioned the architecture practice Diezinger Architekten based in Eichstätt and Regensburg to design a new building. The building complex comprising a secondary school and nursery was completed in 2023 and now connects two previously separate areas. The school's design is based on a low-tech energy concept with a focus on using resource-efficient and recyclable materials during construction. The result is a flagship project in both architectural and educational terms underpinned by a carefully designed ecological concept. Sustainable materials were also used throughout the outdoor areas with 400 square metres of brown Robust composite decking by Naturinform installed on loggias and access balconies.
In line with its holistic educational philosophy, Montessori Zentrum Nürnberg also set high expectations for the architectural and design quality of the new construction. In 2023, the new building complex on Wöhrder Lake in Nuremberg was inaugurated after five years of planning and construction—right on time for the new school year. The extension has added 5,000 square metres of space for 550 pupils from primary to upper secondary level, as well as 100 nursery school children. Additional space was created to accommodate new nursery groups and more secondary classes. Relocating the secondary school to the new building made it possible to provide 45 extra places in the after-school care centre.
A new building tailored to Montessori principles
The new campus building has been carefully designed to follow the Montessori philosophy. In the nursery, two distinct learning clusters each have their own entrances, play and activity areas, quiet corners and loggias with direct access to the garden. In the secondary school, a central "marketplace" serves as a communal hub surrounded by four classrooms. The architecture seamlessly combines flexibility, openness, and private retreat spaces, reflecting the school’s commitment to self-directed learning.
Architecture and urban design: solid forms, airy spaces
The building designed by Diezinger Architekten as an L-shaped structure at the northwest corner of the site shields the landscaped garden from the noise of the nearby railway line. At the same time, a retaining wall along Dr.-Carlo-Schmid-Straße defines a clear urban edge, serving as a transition between the public pathways and the protected interior of the school grounds.
"The L-shaped layout protects the children’s outdoor areas from train noise while connecting with the existing buildings of the Montessori campus," explains architect Andreas Weingut. The façade reflects the eco-friendly approach with durable, maintenance-free brickwork facing the street and railway. The garden-facing side boasts a green larch-wood façade with vertical slats providing shade, privacy and support for climbing plants.
Sustainability at every level
The educational philosophy is complemented by an equally ambitious ecological building approach. The building is one of the first schools in Bavaria to meet KfW-55 energy efficiency rating using a low-tech energy concept. Thermal activation of the building's structural elements combined with geothermal energy ensures temperature regulation. Ventilation is largely natural through manually operable windows and shutters. A photovoltaic system on the green roof is planned to cover electricity needs. Materials throughout the building have been chosen for durability and sustainability: resource-efficient, low-maintenance and fully recyclable—from the wood-wool roof insulation to the wood-plastic composite decking used outdoors.
Robust composite decking with slip-resistant properties
The loggias and access balconies are a central element of the educational space concept, serving as passageways through the building and also as communal space throughout the year. This called for a flooring solution that was slip-resistant, comfortable to walk on barefoot, easy to maintain, sustainable and durable.
"In other buildings, we used larch and Accoya wood flooring, but these turned out to be too slippery when wet," explains Aaron von Frantzky, Chairman of the Montessori Förderkreis Nürnberg e.V. "It was clear from the start that the new building required a different material—one that would be safe, durable and sustainable." They chose brown Robust composite decking from Naturinform.
With a board thickness of 21 mm, it is particularly robust, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Thanks to its reversible design—featuring either wood grain or fine ribs—it can be flexibly adapted to different design requirements. The Montessori centre opted for the ribbed surface due to its R10 slip resistance rating. "The loggias also function as emergency routes, so they must be safe throughout the year. We also wanted a surface that would require minimal maintenance and no chemical treatments," says Aaron von Frantzky.
400 square metres of premium outdoor space
A total of 400 square metres of Robust decking was installed by Thomas Kraus, master carpenter from Heiligenstadt, using a concealed fastening system to create a clean, uniform appearance. Thanks to the fully pigmented material and solid design, the boards look like new even after years of heavy use without the need for oiling or staining. This type of flooring is ideal for everyday school life: "The children can wear indoor shoes on the loggias. There is no need for them to change shoes," says Aaron von Frantzky. "And so far, we didn't even have to clean the boards."
Another advantage: the material is splinter-free and toy-safe according to EN 71-3 standard. It consists of PEFC-certified wood fibres from the wood-processing industry combined with an environmentally friendly polymer added during production. The resulting decking boards are fully recyclable—an innovative material that meets ecological standards. Naturinform runs its own Re-Form recycling system, taking back all boards including offcuts and returning them to the production cycle to create new high-quality outdoor products.
"Choosing durable, safe and sustainable materials is particularly important for educational and childcare facilities. We are delighted that Robust decking was used in this forward-looking school project in Nuremberg—a place where children can play freely and move safely. We aim to provide WPC products that are not only functional but also aesthetically and ecologically pleasing," says Pia Hobeck, Managing Director of Naturinform.
A bold example of modern school design
The new Montessori building in Nuremberg sets a benchmark for modern education facilities with its collaborative, sustainable and forward-looking approach. This ethos is reflected in every detail from the carefully planned learning spaces and energy-efficient building systems to the inviting outdoor areas. Robust composite decking from Naturinform was chosen as a flooring solution that combines functionality, safety, sustainability and aesthetics, reflecting the project’s values throughout every part of the building.
