Speech bubbles show children the way

The Geschwister-Scholl-Schule (GSS) in Leimen is pedagogically oriented as a community school. Due to a lack of space, the decision was made to renovate the existing building from the 1990s and to construct three new buildings, including a cafeteria with a library. The ensemble was designed by a|sh architekten GmbH, Ludwigshafen. In July 2022, the first construction phase with the refectory could be put into operation. A canopy now connects the existing building with the new buildings and visually creates a unity. At the same time, it frames the newly designed inner courtyard.

Visual designer and signalist Joachim Kubowitz of oui Orientation and Identity in Cologne ensured clear, simple and effective orientation and wayfinding. The formal language he developed appeals to the world of children, of elementary school students. It meets all the requirements of clear orientation for visitors and users, but above all for external emergency services in the event of an emergency. Special attention was paid to the quick location within the classrooms in case of panic. The generous numbering of the classrooms is not only located in the corridors, but also inside on the back of the doors. Thus, the room numbers are quickly legible for all students and teachers and can be communicated in case of emergency.

Joachim Kubowitz implemented an orientation system that makes use of the existing large wall surfaces within the school building and the cafeteria. With the Typestar font, a clear, modern typography was chosen that conveys a certain lightness in its lean typeface. In combination with specially developed pictograms and speech bubbles, as they appear in the world of comics, an easy-to-grasp system of overviews, references and markings was created. The signage was realized by meng. In the outdoor area, two steles point the way, the shape of which was custom-made by picking up on the curves of the speech bubbles. In the interior, large-area foils were used directly on the wall surfaces or glass doors. The door signs and changeable modules from the quintessenz sign system were tactilely labeled with pyramid and Braille lettering. The handrail signs also serve to support largely barrier-free orientation. They are haptically perceptible and guide people with visual impairments safely to their destination.