Lessing-Gymnasium, Secondary school and cultural heritage monument in Weststadt, Karlsruhe, Germany.
The Lessing-Gymnasium is a secondary school and cultural heritage monument in Karlsruhe's Weststadt district that provides education across multiple grade levels. The building blends original sandstone architecture with a golden-brown metal extension, creating a striking visual contrast between its historic and contemporary sections.
The school was founded in 1893 as Germany's first gymnasium for girls, marking an important moment in the country's educational history. Its move to the current Sophienstrasse location in 1911 reflected the school's growing enrollment and changing educational needs.
The school bears the name of Enlightenment thinker Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and reflects his legacy through its focus on language and science education. Walking through the building, you notice how modern spaces encourage students to move between different learning areas while staying visually connected.
The school sits in a convenient location in Weststadt and is easy to find, with clear pathways connecting the historic and modern sections of the building. Keep in mind that the campus is actively used during school hours, so some areas may only be accessible at certain times or require prior arrangement.
The 2011 renovation won the Hugo-Häring Award for its innovative approach to connecting interior and exterior spaces through transparent facades and strategic access points. This renovation demonstrates how a historic building can be successfully adapted using contemporary design principles.
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