On Wednesday, September 27th, the International School Rheintal (ISR) celebrated in Buchs the opening of their new campus and thanked their supporters and sponsor of the building, the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein, at an event. 

In August 2023, ISR opened the doors of its new school building to its 180 students. This Wednesday she celebrated with around 90 invited guests, partners and sponsors of the project, the move into the “ISR Campus”, which was completed after just three years of planning and construction.

The three-story building, which is designed for up to 300 students, was designed and implemented by the Zurich architects Büro Kampfen Zinke + Partner AG. The architectural firm, which specializes in sustainable and innovative wooden buildings, won the architectural competition in 2019. 

In addition to representatives of the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein, the participants in the event also included Government Councilor Beat Tinner, Deputy Head of Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Sabine Monauni, Mayor of Buchs Rolf Pfeiffer, and president of the local community Buchs, Andreas Rohrer. 

During tours in small groups, the guests were guided through active, question-based lessons by ISR students. Those present were not only able to get to know sustainable construction made from local wood, but also got an insight into lessons at the ISR. Those present took the opportunity to ask the students directly about the campus. 

The guests were then welcomed into the double gymnasium with an event stage, which was also shared with the city Buchs is shared, welcomed. With the song “A Million Dreams” (from “The Greatest Showman”), students from kindergarten to 10th grade not only set the theme for the event, but also for the future plans of the international school Buchs placed.

 Michèle Frey-Hilti, President of the Board of Trustees of the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein, which is the sole sponsor of the construction project, emphasized in her speech the school building's pioneering role in terms of innovative, sustainable materials. But also the importance of the ISR for the region as an important addition to the educational offerings in the region and its contribution to attracting international specialists. 

“The new ISR Campus is an important milestone and a reflection of the first-class international educational offerings in the region, which keeps Liechtenstein and the Rhine Valley internationally competitive.” (Michèle Frey-Hilti President of the Board of Trustees Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein)

 The architects also had their say in a pre-recorded film interview and presented the conceptual features of the building, such as the sprinkler system, which is not yet widespread in Switzerland, or the composite ventilation, which supplies the “low-tech” building with fresh air without much technology.

 “All corridors are not just hallways, but also open learning and meeting areas. The multifunctionality of the rooms is something that makes the design very special in our eyes.” (Beat Kampfen-Federer, Co-Managing Director & Partner, Kampfen Zinke + Partner AG)

Government Councilor Beat Tinner, Deputy Head of Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein Sabine Monauni, Mayor of Buchs Rolf Pfeiffer, and president of the local community Buchs, Andreas Rohrer were also among the guests at the ISR this afternoon. They took part in a discussion on the future of the Alpine Rhine Valley, which was led by an 11th grade student at ISR. Finally, she didn't miss the opportunity to ask her guests for their personal insider tip for a successful professional career.

 Liz Free, the director of the ISR, will conclude the event. She thanked all parties involved in the construction project, and in particular for the personal commitment of the Hilti family and the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein, which extended from the founding of the international school in 2002 to the present day.

 “It was a long process with fruitful discussions, from the question of what learning is to what learning spaces can and should be. Experts from a wide range of fields worked together to understand the needs of teachers and students to create an optimal learning environment for our students - and I am convinced we have succeeded,” said Liz Free, Director and CEO of the International School Rheintal.

 The International School Rheintal based in Buchs is the leading International Baccalaureate (IB) school in the region. It is a non-profit school that offers an international education in English for students aged 3-19 and a globally recognized diploma.

Contact to the media
Friederike Geiselberger
Media and Communications
International School Rhine Valley
Werdenbergstrasse 17
9470 Buchs
Switzerland 

communications@isr.ch
Tel +41 81 750 63 03
Mob +41 79 956 67 71