Cornerstone laid for the construction of the Altenessen-Süd secondary school's new structure
New Sustainable School in Altenessen-Süd Breaks Ground
A significant step forward in education and sustainability was taken on August 26, 2025, as the groundbreaking ceremony for a new comprehensive school in Altenessen-Süd at Erbslohstraße took place. The event was attended by Mayor Thomas Kufen, Muchtar Al Ghusain, Simone Raskob, and Martin Harter, among others.
The new school complex, spanning an area of approximately 34,000 square meters (equivalent to five football fields), will be a state-of-the-art, six-story building. The school's design prioritizes inclusion and accessibility, with a focus on barrier-free access.
The school's concept includes digitization as a key element, and it will accommodate around 1,300 students and 110 teachers and staff. The new school is designed to function as an all-day learning and living space.
One of the most innovative aspects of the new school is its energy supply. The school will be powered entirely by renewable sources, with geothermal energy used for the first time in a municipal building of this size for both heating in the winter and cooling in the summer through ventilation systems. The school will also generate 89 percent of its annual electricity needs through additional photovoltaic panels on the roof.
In terms of emissions, the new school will emit 98.6 percent less CO2 in heating compared to existing Essen comprehensive schools. This commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by the school's aim to have a 100 percent renewable energy supply.
The school will feature a variety of facilities, including classrooms, specialized rooms, administrative areas, a cafeteria, an auditorium, a library, recreational spaces, a three-court sports hall, and two single-court sports halls with ancillary facilities. Around 65 climate-appropriate trees will be planted as part of the construction.
The school park, which will be open for public use, will serve as a public space, acting as a meeting place for students and residents of the neighborhood. The new school is also part of a larger project that includes a modern neighborhood center.
Connection to public transportation and sufficient bicycle parking facilities are integral parts of the school's concept. The construction of the school is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027.
While information about the project manager for the new sustainable school and new construction project in Altenessen-Süd at Erbslohstraße was not available at the time of this article, the groundbreaking ceremony marks an exciting step towards a more sustainable and inclusive future for education in Essen.
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