# Slender Wooden Schools These Swiss School's Design Features Slender Wooden Battens By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-07-29 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swiss-school References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2014/07/29/wooden-school-extension-switzerland-zwimpfer-bbk/) & [zwimpferpartner.ch](http://www.zwimpferpartner.ch/update464/zwimpferpartnerarchitekten/) Switzerland-based architectural firms Zwimpfer Partner Architekten and BBK Architekten partnered to create an interesting [architectural extension to a Swiss school](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rainbow-international-school) located in the village of Biel-Benken, near the city of Basel. The new architectural add-ons supplement the original buildings that were constructed 50 years ago. The new sections of this Swiss school building feature concrete cores wrapped entirely in [battens of wood with different depths](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oarvemtta-school), creating an interesting pattern across the building facades when viewed from different angles. In the architects' own words, "a rhythmic sequence of [larch wood panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-flax-pavilion) leads the eye along the exterior walls." The wooden layer covers high windows that open on the west-facing wall of the gym, to ensure that the building isn't scorched in too much direct sunlight. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Slender Wooden Architecture:** The use of wooden battens as a covering for concrete cores in buildings creates a new design element that can be applied in architecture and construction. - **Rhythmic Sequences:** The design technique of using a rhythmic sequence of layers to create a unique facade can be applied to various types of buildings, not just schools. - **Sustainable Building Techniques:** Using wood as a primary material in construction can help reduce a building's carbon footprint and promote sustainable building practices. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture and Construction:** The use of wooden battens as a covering for concrete cores in buildings provides an opportunity for architects and builders to create unique and sustainable structures. - **Education:** The use of wooden battens on school buildings provides an opportunity to create visually interesting and sustainable structures that can inspire and promote eco-friendliness in education. - **Sustainability:** The use of wooden battens as a sustainable building material can be applied in various industries to promote environmentally friendly practices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cuboidal Primary School Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bernardo-bader-architekten.md) - [Nature-Bounding School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cole-du-znith.md) - [Insulated Timber Sports Facilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daillens-sports-facility.md) - [Wood-Wrapped Contemporary Libraries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graded-school-library.md) - [Terraced School Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robert-badinter-secondary-school.md) - [Leaf-Shaped Rooftop Schools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shiv-nader-school.md) - [Gabled Planted Courtyard Schools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samuel-paty-school.md) - [Nature-Promoting School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primary-school-1.md) - [Rustic Vintage Transformed Barns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lukas-lenherr-architektur.md)