FMOS – The Upper Secondary School in Mosfellsbær
The first phase of FMOS, the new Upper Secondary School in Mosfellsbaer, provides space for up to 500 pupils. The building is intertwined with the landscape on the narrow plot, the diagonal lines of the building refer to the hills in the surroundings and one of the roofs turns into a green ramp to walk about on.
Mosfellsbær is a town of approximately 9.000 inhabitants, situated 15 kilometers east of Reykjavik. It is the hometown of Iceland’s noble prize winner, writer Halldór Laxnes, from whom inspiration is sought: "... and flowers grow on the roof”* – the landscape becomes the building which becomes landscape...
The 12.000 sqm plot of the school is situated close to the town center and along highway nr. 1, which lies through Mosfellsbær. This influences the shape and choice of material of the building, aiming to minimize sound emission.
Flexibility and innovative teaching methods are guiding elements of the design of the internal structure of the building. The three storey building is 4.100 sqm and consists of two main parts, which are connected by a light airy space that serves as an entrance hall and vertical circulation. It connects the main entrance of the building in the northeast (the east plaza) with the schoolyard in the south. This central and open area can be used as an extension for the canteen for events and exhibitions.
The building houses six departments, 4 academic departments, one science department and one art department. They are distributed on all floors of the building. All public areas and administration (reception, library, canteen, multi-purpose room, staff room) are situated on the ground floor. One department is on the ground floor, the art department, to enable a direct connection to the exterior area. The upper floors house the science and academic departments. The classrooms can be divided into three groups: traditional classrooms, open working spaces and closed working spaces. The closed and open spaces form a variety of different situations where the pupils can study, either by listening , studying individually or in smaller groups . The design recognises each child as a unique individual with unique needs and desires in regards to its environment. The rich choice of spaces inspires and emphasises the individual person and can have a positive effect on its work.
The building is assessed under BREEAM, a leading environmental assessment for buildings, resulting in a more sustainable building. The building has achieved an interim certificate, by scoring „very good“.
The BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology was used designing the school. The architectural and engineering drawings are 3-dimensional and they all add up to one electronic model of the building. This method enables a new approach for the contractor and management of building.
*Halldór Laxness, Heimsljós – Höll sumarlandsins, chapter 17
