Wednesday, December 24, 2025
A new modular extension for a primary school in Bensheim, Germany, highlights how Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber) is revolutionising the construction of educational buildings. The project uses Kerto LVL’s S-beams and Q-panels to create a resource-efficient, fast, and adaptable structure for modern learning spaces. This innovative approach addresses the growing demand for quickly established educational venues in regions with rising populations, such as the Bergstraße district.
Germany is facing a significant challenge: around 700,000 additional school places will be needed by 2030. The growing need for more classrooms is pressing municipalities to explore innovative, sustainable, and quick-to-construct solutions. The project in Bensheim, completed in a few months, demonstrates that modular construction with Kerto LVL is a viable and effective solution.
Efficient Prefabrication and Fast Assembly
The new school building is composed of 80 prefabricated wooden modules, designed and manufactured by Baumgarten GmbH near Fulda. These modules were then transported to Bensheim for assembly. Prefabricating the modules in advance significantly reduced on-site construction time, minimising disruption to school operations and the surrounding community. The building’s design features a vertical wooden façade, enhancing its aesthetic appeal while maintaining energy efficiency.
A key feature of this modular school is the energy-efficient systems integrated into the design. The building includes decentralized ventilation with heat recovery, an air heat pump, and a large solar panel system that provides much of the building’s energy needs. These sustainable features not only support the environment but also help reduce operational costs over time.
Kerto LVL: The Ideal Material for Modular Construction
Kerto LVL is a central element in this modular school project. Specifically, the S-beams used for the roof offer high-performance structural strength, making them ideal for modular school buildings. The S-beams are dimensionally stable, ensuring that they remain straight even in slim, high cross-sections. This precision in construction allows for the quick, accurate assembly of the structure, saving time and reducing the need for adjustments.
The S-beams are particularly suited for load-bearing structures, as they provide excellent bending and tensile strength. This ensures that large, flexible spaces can be created within the building – a key benefit for educational environments. The precise prefabrication of Kerto LVL elements also allows for easy cable routing and roof fastening, streamlining the construction process.
Kerto LVL Q-Panels: Slim and Strong Interior Walls
For the interior walls, Kerto LVL Q-panels were chosen due to their superior performance. These panels are made by gluing 20 percent of their veneers transversely to the longitudinal direction. This unique configuration enhances the dimensional stability and rigidity of the panels, allowing for slender yet stable interior walls.
In modular construction, space efficiency is crucial. The slim profile of the Q-panels helps maximise the usable floor area, an important consideration for schools with limited space. Additionally, the Q-panels offer excellent bearing strength around openings, making it easy to incorporate windows, doors, and other penetrations. The accuracy of Kerto LVL elements allows for rapid assembly without the need for time-consuming repairs or adjustments.
Christine Grimm, Managing Director of Mobispace GmbH, the company behind the project, notes, “Our modular construction kit was specially developed for school construction. The use of Kerto LVL played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and quick implementation of this project.”
A Showcase of Future Educational Building Design
The primary school “In den Kappesgärten” in Bensheim is a prime example of how modern educational buildings can be designed for efficiency, sustainability, and rapid construction. The three-storey modular building accommodates nine classrooms for around 25 students each, an inclusion classroom, and various teaching areas. The design also includes a multi-purpose room, cafeteria, staff rooms, sanitary facilities, and storage spaces.
This modular construction project is a testament to how Kerto LVL’s unique material properties align with the requirements of modern architecture, sustainability, and construction efficiency. Its dimensional accuracy, strength, and ease of processing allow for reliable and fast assembly, maximising the use of space in educational buildings.
Conclusion: A Model for Sustainable School Expansion
The success of the Bensheim primary school project demonstrates the immense potential of modular construction using Kerto LVL in addressing the challenges faced by municipalities in expanding educational infrastructure. This innovative approach to building modular schools provides a fast, efficient, and sustainable solution that can be scaled to meet the growing demand for educational spaces across Germany and beyond. As more regions grapple with the need for additional school places, this project serves as a model for future educational building designs.
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Tags: Kerto LVL, laminated veneer lumber, modular construction, prefabricated modules, woodworking, woodworking and processing, woodworking industry, woodworking UK
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