Alpine Green: the vibrant ceramic skin redesigning the Grossmatt School in Hergiswil
Tile Wars · trends · · Tile Insights Hub
Swiss studio Schmid-Ziörjen Architektenkollektiv delivers a technical and poetic work where glazed extruded tile actively dialogues with the mountain landscape of Nidwalden.
In the picturesque town of Hergiswil, on the shores of Lake Lucerne and under the imposing shadow of Mount Pilatus, stands the extension of the Grossmatt school complex. Completed in 2019, this project by the Swiss collective Schmid-Ziörjen Architektenkollektiv has captured the attention of the international ceramic and industrial community not only for its tectonic precision, but for the extraordinary prominence given to the ceramic cladding of its facade. A three-dimensional envelope that breathes light The great visual and architectural milestone of the extension lies in the upper volume of the building, entirely wrapped in a ventilated facade made of extruded ceramic pieces with a wavy profile. Unlike conventional flat solutions, the fluted geometry of these tiles generates a continuous vertical rhythm that breaks down the scale of the volume and adds unusual tactile richness. The glazed finish, in a deep bottle-green tone, reacts dynamically to the changing Alpine light: Under direct sunlight: the glossy glaze reflects the light, turning the facade into gleaming emerald flashes. On cloudy or rainy days: the ceramic absorbs the sobriety of the surroundings, blending in with the vegetation and dense surrounding coniferous forests. The ceramic volume does not act as a merely passive envelope, but as an optical prism that captures the light of the canton of Nidwalden and returns it filtered into green nuances and deep shadows. Tectonics, contrast and ventilated facade Schmid-Ziörjen's design strategy is based on a careful layering of materials. The ground floor, transparent and open to the schoolyard through large glazed panels and exposed concrete pillars, acts as a permeable public plinth. Above this light base floats the ceramic body, giving the classrooms the character of a protected refuge. Technically, the ceramic pieces were installed on a metal substructure guaranteeing maximum thermal insulation performance and durability. The ventilated facade system not only optimises the energy efficiency of the school, but also ensures low maintenance requirements against the harsh conditions of the Swiss winter. Project data sheet Project: Grossmatt School Architecture: Schmid-Ziörjen Architektenkollektiv Location: Hergiswil, canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland Year of completion: 2019 Key material: green glazed extruded ceramic pieces Facade typology: ventilated facade with three-dimensional fluted relief Complementary materials: exposed concrete, pine wood and aluminium profiles Tile as a pedagogical and urban connector Inside, functional sobriety takes over: concrete, light wood and neutral tones create a serene atmosphere focused on learning. Yet the exterior ceramic cladding remains symbolically present, guiding the gaze towards the natural surroundings through the framing of its windows. Geometry and light: the vertical fluted profile creates dynamic shadows throughout the day, avoiding the aesthetic monotony of traditional ceramic facades. Material identity: it demonstrates the potential of glazed ceramics to redefine public buildings and give them a recognisable institutional identity without becoming strident. With the Grossmatt School, Schmid-Ziörjen Architektenkollektiv shows how contemporary architectural ceramics can transcend their purely protective function to become the core of a building's identity, combining material tradition, industrialised precision and respect for the landscape.