Březno is a town located in a unique natural setting, in an area that was once a busy mining region. The industrial past brought economic growth, but it also caused serious damage to the landscape and the structure of the town. In recent years, the town has been working hard to repair these impacts: green areas, riverbanks, parks, and recreational spaces are being renewed to rebuild the connection between people and nature. The new school plays a symbolic role in this healing process. It is not just a place for education, but also a representation of a sustainable future where development and the natural environment work together in harmony.

The school extension is placed to the east of the existing gym, along the main axis that connects the old town square with the new part of the town. The two buildings are in balance in both size and function. Like the two sides of the brain, the wings create a clear and open learning environment. The corridors and stairs between them are also informal learning spaces that connect the main areas of the school.

The two parts of the school are linked on the upper floor by a bridge, which runs through a special space called the climatic atrium. This glass, lightweight space is more than just a passage — it is the heart of the building: a city living room, a winter garden, an outdoor classroom, an event space, or even a play area.

The school can function independently from this space, but it also allows for other activities to take place throughout the year. Most of the time, it serves as a flexible buffer area where key school functions like the lobby, library, canteen, and buffet can expand into a larger multifunctional space. This design is not only compact and logical, but it also helps reduce the building’s energy use. The atrium uses passive heating. Even in winter, when it’s very cold outside, the closed glass space can stay around +10°C thanks to sunlight and heat from the building, so it can be used as an outdoor space even in bad weather. In summer, the special roof provides shade and can open up. The design also helps natural air movement (ventilation) through the school using the chimney effect.