Refurbishment of "Al Schoul" in Kopstal

Source text et illustrations: Atelier b architects – Christian Barsotti & associés 

Photographs: Heng Nilles

The historic building which once housed the primary school in Kopstal is to undergo major renovation. The former school, which was later reused as a fire station, does not go unnoticed. Located on the Rue Schmitz, this old building can be seen from the car park of the Wirtspesch Cultural Centre. At the end of 2023, asbestos removal work was carried out, after which stabilisation measures will still have to be taken. Once this work has been completed, the building can be restored. Find out more about the project in this article.

Analysis of the existing situation 

This building on the Rue Schmitz dates back to the 19th century. It was built as a two-storey school building with a sandstone basement. 

The load-bearing structure of the building shows that at some point, the building underwent significant modifications. 

Today, it is managed by the municipality and is listed among the protected buildings of communal interest. The basement is only accessible from the outside on the rear side of the building. The other floors are accessible via an old stairwell which has been preserved, from the original entrance on the Rue Schmitz. 

On the ground floor and first floor, the basic structure of the building consists of a stairwell and a room at the front, which also contains the former entrance on the Rue Schmitz, followed by a large room with windows on three sides. In the 20th century, the building was reused and occupied by the fire brigade. For that purpose, a larger opening was installed on the south side of the façade, which is still there today.

The large windows, typical of a school building, are surrounded by sandstone walls, most of which have been preserved. The old rendered facade and stone cornice elements have also largely been preserved, but show many signs of deterioration. The gambrel roof is covered in slate. 

Transformation and renovation 

The old building in the centre of the village is a listed historic building which needs to be converted, restored and revitalised to meet the municipality’s new needs. It is also to be connected to the new Wirtspesch Centre building by a shared stairwell and lift. The details of this connection are not yet known, but they will be taken into account and extensively prepared for during the restoration work. 

The large opening on the ground floor of the south facade will be used as a new entrance, with a porch leading directly into the great hall through a small cloakroom. Behind this will be a small preparation kitchen and a drinks counter. The old stairwell in the former entrance hall will be preserved and restored. 

The small annex on the ground floor will be converted into a toilet accessible to people with reduced mobility, and the annex on the first floor will be equipped with a normal toilet. 

The remainder of the floor space will continue to be used in a versatile and flexible way. It will remain largely open right up to the roof. This space can be used as a meeting room with a library and reading corner. 

A shelving system will be installed on the interior load-bearing wall, reaching right up to roof level, with compartments which are partly open and partly closed, representing around 60 metres of shelving. The library has a major advantage over an archive room in that it is permanently visible. The books and objects on display are an integral part of the space, contributing to the atmosphere and quality of the room. 

Construction and materials 

The conversion work will require some demolition and structural work. The non-load-bearing interior walls will be removed. The ceilings and floors will be renovated to current standards. In collaboration with the structural engineer, it will be decided which parts of the old framework can be retained and how to install a new circular anchor. 

The roof will then be covered with slate and thermally insulated. The aim is to make the inside as attractive as possible and to highlight the old framework and the high ceiling on the upper floor. 

The interior walls will be cleaned and prepared on the inside, and then fitted with wood wool insulation, directly covered with a plastered mineral-finish board. The windows will be replaced with new wooden ones, respecting their historic appearance, with thermo-insulating glazing.

Internal doors will be reused wherever possible, depending on their condition. The old stairwell will have to be restored and preserved, which means checking its stability and, if necessary, redesigning it. 

Retaining the original staircase means that there will be a second stairwell with a lift in the immediate vicinity, should the upper floor become accessible to the public. It is proposed to install a wooden floor on the upper floor, while a mineral stone floor is proposed on the ground floor. 

In agreement with the INPA, the external facade should be covered with a new historic lime render, which would then be painted with a mineral paint. The cornice and natural stone window jambs should be cleaned, inspected and repaired before being painted with a mineral paint. 

Technical installations 

The building is to be connected to the new central heating system in the immediate vicinity. Hot water will be supplied on a decentralised basis by means of small heaters. Air renewal and basic ventilation should also be provided by a small individual ventilation system located in the attic above the sanitary facilities. 

For the lighting of the spaces, it is planned to install LED lights in the ceiling, which will illuminate the spaces with a warm, efficient and targeted light. The other rooms will also be equipped with LED technology depending on their use, and with the exception of the main hall, they may also be fitted with motion detectors.