Topping-out ceremony for the Schönwalde primary school: A milestone for Wandlitz!

Topping-out ceremony for the Schönwalde primary school: A milestone for Wandlitz!

The ceremonial events for the topping-out ceremony of the new Schönwalde elementary school in Wandlitz took place on November 5, 2025 - four months after the foundation stone was laid. Construction is progressing quickly, the shell is already in place and the final sealing work is in progress. Facade and roofing work has also progressed, meaning the building will soon be ready for winter. A fire water tank has been set up to meet safety standards. These measures are particularly important to ensure a safe environment for the approximately 540 students who will learn here in the future.

Mayor Oliver Borchert did not miss the opportunity to praise the commitment of the construction workers. "We are proud of the progress we are seeing here. It is important that citizens are aware of the visibility of the project," he said during a tour of the construction site, which aroused great interest. In addition to the interior work, the outdoor facilities are also on the agenda, while the geothermal drilling has already been completed. The connection work for this is planned for spring 2024.

Progress and sustainability

The school will be equipped with a modern, energy-efficient heating solution based on geothermal energy. In addition, the facade will be made of climate-friendly wood, and a green roof and a photovoltaic system are also part of the ambitious plan. The construction work is based on the strict criteria of the Sustainable Building Rating System (BNB), with silver certification being the aim. The project can gain additional momentum thanks to funding from the KfW amounting to 2.5 million euros.

Planning for the elementary school began in 2019 with an architectural competition in 2021. The winning design prevailed against a large number of proposals and proposes a modern school complex that will offer much more than just classrooms. A cafeteria, a teaching kitchen, workshops, a library and a media library are also planned. A double-decker sports hall and outdoor sports areas are available for sporting activities, complemented by a green classroom and a school garden to offer students a diverse learning environment.

A look into the future

With a total usable area of ​​4,612 m² for the school building and 1,544 m² for the sports hall, the project is set for a total investment of around 37 million euros. This includes costs for the school building, the sports hall, the outdoor facilities and transport connections. The planned completion date for the school is set for the 2027/2028 school year.

It remains to be seen how the construction work will develop in the coming year and whether the project can keep to the time frame. But one thing is certain: the new Schönwalde elementary school will not only be an educational institution, but also a symbol of sustainability and modern architecture in the region.