New construction of the Special Education Centre | Senden Neu-Ulm
1st Prize | New construction of the Special Education Centre
Senden Neu-Ulm
In collaboration with Atelier30
Urban integration and landscape interlocking
The new building of the curative education centre in Senden presents itself as a finely tuned ensemble of three staggered structures that blend sensitively and naturally into the topography of the site. Together with the integrated sports hall and therapy area, the result is an architecturally and functionally multi-layered integration with the urban environment and the surrounding landscape. The differentiated structure and staggered heights of the buildings convey a sense of scale and allow for harmonious integration into the terrain from every perspective.
The main address of the centre faces south-east, where a generously designed forecourt with a clearly defined main entrance creates an inviting, representative entrance. From here, the communicative centre of the facility opens up, connecting all the main areas as its heart.
In the north-west, the outdoor play areas – including an all-weather pitch, a grass playing field and a school garden – form the scenic conclusion and underline the close connection between built space and open space.
Topographical integration and spatial diversity
The arrangement of the buildings follows the natural slope of the terrain and translates it into a structurally and functionally richly differentiated building landscape. The idea of interlocking continues inside: bright, spacious corridors, open lounge areas and diverse visual connections to the outside create an inspiring, light-flooded learning and working atmosphere. The clear structure of the buildings supports intuitive orientation and enhances the spatial quality.
Access and functional organisation
The central main entrance leads into a light-flooded foyer and break hall, which serves as the spatial heart of the building. The café and music rooms are directly connected here and can be flexibly opened up to the hall. The internal access is clearly structured and the routing is intuitive.
From the centre, the sports and therapy area with swimming pool and the children’s house are accessed on the ground floor. All functional areas are separately accessible if required and clearly separated from each other in terms of function. The central break hall connects all the main areas of the building via a spacious atrium. Social and recreation rooms are grouped around a gallery on the upper floor, supplemented by the primary and vocational school levels. The second floor houses the administration, the staff rooms and the secondary school, each of which can be identified as separate areas.
As in the rest of the building, recesses in the corridor areas create varied communication spaces with views of the outdoors and green inner courtyards. The open-plan concept supports a pleasant learning atmosphere and at the same time allows for a high degree of flexibility: the modular floor plan structure allows for future adjustments to the room layout.
A high proportion of green roof and façade areas not only improves the microclimate, but also functions as a retention area for rainwater. The basement houses technical and ancillary rooms as well as 28 parking spaces.
Arrival
The new school day begins on the forecourt at the junction between the existing building and the new special education centre. Overshadowed by a group of multi-stemmed, generously underplanted sweetgum trees with benches floating around them, the entrance plaza serves as both a passageway and a lounge area. Here, somewhat shielded behind the group of trees, are the bicycle parking spaces located near the entrance.
School landscape
We see the open space directly adjacent to the break hall as a school landscape that meets the space requirements of the room programme and is as green as possible. It is partially covered by large-crowned trees of the future and structured by lowered grass and shrub areas under the tree crowns, which, in addition to their insect-friendly abundance of flowers, also serve as retention and drainage areas. The central playground is paved with permeable concrete paving stones with partially linear lawn joints. The green classroom in the south-east, partially enclosed by low planting and directly adjacent to the school garden, offers space for outdoor learning away from the hustle and bustle of the playground. A mixed hedge of bird-friendly shrubs forms the boundary and transition to the agricultural landscape in the south. Where there is no need for playable and accessible lawns, sparse, two-cut meadows contribute to biodiversity. The southern area of the schoolyard is designed as an exercise landscape with a small playing field, a climbing wall and other exercise facilities.
Protected open space for the children’s house
The outdoor area of the children’s house is designed as a gently modelled play and adventure world, which, in addition to age-appropriate play equipment and sufficient paved areas, leaves room for nature-oriented play in the peripheral areas. Deciduous trees with rather sparse crowns ensure a pleasant climate all year round – plenty of sun when the trees are bare, sufficient shade in summer.
The edges of the peripheral areas are planted with edible and useful plants such as strawberries and blueberries, mint and lemon balm, as well as hazelnut bushes, which are robust enough for intensive use and also vividly integrate the seasonal changes into the educational concept.
Water management and biodiversity
In addition to meeting the requirements of the exercise, learning and play landscape, the outdoor facilities also fulfil the basic functions of a resilient and sustainable built environment. These include a maximum of structurally rich vegetation areas, water-permeable surface pavements and a rainwater management system as a recirculation system. The roof surfaces of the school building are designed as retention roofs. (18 cm substrate on the roofs (even with possible solar use), with retention boxes with a capillary wick system for optimal precipitation retention and evaporation). The substrate layer, in conjunction with the retention boxes, stores rainwater and makes it available to the plants. In the earth-bound vegetation areas, the rainwater is fed to the planting areas or tree trenches through the formation of the topography and is also collected in cisterns for service water use.
In addition to aesthetic considerations, all plantings are designed to make a valuable contribution to biodiversity. A targeted selection of different substrates in the peripheral areas creates a mosaic of ecologically valuable sites, which develops into particularly species-rich plant communities through the sowing of native wild herb seeds.
New secondary school and sports hall Hafner | Konstanz
3rd Prize | New secondary school and sports hall Hafner
Konstanz
In collaboration with Atelier30
Arrival
The new school day begins on the forecourt at the junction between the new green corridor and the neighbourhood street coming from the north-west. Overshadowed by two multi-stemmed, generously underplanted sweetgum trees with circular benches floating around them, the entrance plaza is both a passageway and a place to linger. Those who arrive first will find a parking space for their bicycles close to the entrance on the east side, otherwise the large number of bicycle parking spaces are easily accessible under the grove of trees to the east.
School landscape
We see the open space directly adjacent to the break hall as a heavily landscaped school landscape on the ground floor, the first floor and the roof above the top floor. It is covered by large-crowned trees of the future and structured by lowered grass and shrub areas under the tree crowns, which, in addition to their insect-friendly abundance of flowers, also serve as retention and drainage areas. The central playground is paved with permeable concrete paving stones with partially linear lawn joints. The furnishings are multifunctional – the chill decks, located near the seating steps in the shade of the trees, are an informal meeting place even outside of break times. The open-air study room in the southeast, enclosed by a low hedge, offers space for group or individual study at long study tables, away from the hustle and bustle of the playground. The agricultural landscape to the east is bordered by a bird sanctuary planted with native trees and shrubs and a fringe of wild herbs suitable for the location. Where no playable or accessible lawn area is required, sparse, twice-mowed meadows contribute to biodiversity.
Exercise landscape
On the roof of the gym, the school landscape becomes an exercise landscape – from various calisthenics and obstacle course activities to floor trampolines, there is everything you need to combine sport and fun. Of course, there is also space for spectators: long benches where people can sit together on the backrest and more intimate seating shells for two form the ‘grandstand’ for the action on the roof. The areas are framed by drought-resistant grasses and shrubs. They are positioned so that loads are distributed as efficiently as possible at the edges.
A wide, green staircase with integrated seating steps leads to the streetball court and the boulder sculpture on the ground floor level.
Water management and biodiversity
In addition to meeting the requirements of the exercise and learning landscape, the outdoor facilities also fulfil fundamental functions of resilient and sustainable area development. These include a maximum of structurally rich vegetation areas, water-permeable surface pavements and rainwater management as a recirculation system. The roof areas of the school building are designed as retention roofs. (18 cm substrate on the solar roofs, up to 50 cm on the first floor and in the school garden area, with retention boxes with a capillary wick system for optimal precipitation retention and evaporation) The substrate layer, in conjunction with the retention boxes, stores rainwater and makes it available to the plants. In the earth-bound vegetation areas, the topography of the site allows rainwater to be fed into the planting areas and also collected in cisterns for service water use. During heavy rainfall events, excess rainwater is collected in trough infiltration systems (infiltration cascade) in the planting areas.
In addition to aesthetic considerations, all plantings are designed to make a valuable contribution to biodiversity. Through the targeted selection of different substrates, a mosaic of ecologically valuable sites is initiated, which develops into particularly species-rich plant communities through the sowing of native wild herb seeds.
Extension and renovation of two primary schools | Sassenburg
1st Prize | Extension and renovation of two primary schools
Sassenburg
In collaboration with Kauffmann Theilig & Partner
The primary school in the colourful triangle in Sassenburg is gaining a new spatial and educational quality thanks to a precisely positioned and atmospherically dense extension. The existing triangular stand-alone building with its striking, self-contained form is complemented by a single-storey extension on the south-east side – not by adding storeys or external satellites, but by an architecturally related structure that coherently enlarges and thus extends the triangle without losing its identity. This measure not only creates additional space, but also light-flooded, open spaces and a new cluster structure: four of the twelve new classrooms each form small educational units together with the open learning areas between them. The fan-shaped arrangement of the rooms allows for generous daylight and a close interconnection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The previously difficult-to-use inner courtyard is transformed into a climatically protected centre of the school – the new market square – by a careful roofing with skylights. In future, the library and the computer room will be located there, both centrally located and with high-quality lighting. Further selective additions within the existing structure – such as the new canteen on the west corner – fit in organically and with minimal construction effort. The canteen itself is ideally positioned: right next to the entrance with generous indoor and outdoor areas, short distances for food distribution, direct delivery from outside and flexible expandability towards the corridor thanks to mobile walls. A stage and a connection to the music room can also be easily integrated.
The construction process is designed so that the school can remain in operation throughout the entire process – without an interim solution in the traditional sense. During the seven-week summer holidays, the existing components on the south-east side will be dismantled and adapted, and a more efficient façade will replace the dilapidated existing façade. At the same time, the new classrooms will be produced as prefabricated wooden containers, which will be positioned directly at their final location at the end of the summer holidays. This means that the new school year will begin in a part of the new building that is already usable. The remaining renovations – such as the canteen, the closure of the inner courtyard, infrastructure measures and work on the west façade – will be carried out over the following ten months while the school remains in operation. The remaining measures and final connections will be completed during the following summer holidays. After a year and a half, the new school building will be completely finished.
The existing school, as ambitious as it once was, proved to be overly technical and maintenance-intensive. The new design deliberately focuses on functional low-tech solutions with high didactic potential: window ventilation with optimised cross ventilation makes mechanical systems in the classrooms superfluous. Existing ventilation systems are only used where they make sense – for example, in the kitchen, canteen and interior rooms. Heat pumps with renewable energy sources such as foundation absorbers, geothermal probes and bored piles are used for heating and cooling. Static air conditioning is provided by ceiling elements, while photovoltaic systems on the roof enable the school to operate almost entirely self-sufficiently in terms of energy.
The materials and design are based on the existing structure and functionality. The new classrooms consist of self-supporting wooden containers, complemented by a wooden slat structure that completely closes the geometric triangle in the site plan. These slats also serve as weather and sun protection thanks to the photovoltaic layer above them. The roof surfaces are being renovated and the ventilation system integrated into the new roof shape. In the existing building, the façades will be made less transparent, with light-directing slats, printed glass elements and effective sun protection devices.
Last but not least, the architecture reflects the actual ‘colourfulness’ of the triangle: the students and the natural, changing landscape. Glazed, shiny and printed components capture the colours and movements of school life and the surrounding area – a lively, diverse picture that changes with the seasons. The result is a new school building that showcases the friendly, lively interaction in a clearly defined but open architectural framework – unpretentious, sustainable and full of quality of life.
Open space
The existing school grounds, nestled in the eastern residential area, are characterised by an open structure with several access points and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The new concept takes these positive features and integrates them into a modern, sustainable design.
The new design surrounds the triangular school building with dense, varied planting and forms a new, robust and lively playground. The organic shapes of the planting areas not only create an exciting relationship with the school building, but also internal, protected areas. The plantings open up specifically at the main entrances – the entrance via the street ‘Am Felde’ and the side entrance via ‘Bokensdorfer Weg’ – thus creating inviting entrance areas.
The schoolyard develops from the existing structures of the outdoor facilities and the new extension into a coherent outdoor space that wraps around the building. It thus develops from an extensive play area in the west of the building to a natural quiet area in the east. The break area to the west of the building is characterised by opportunities for romping, digging and playing. Here, the children are offered various opportunities for physical activity, such as a large climbing sculpture, basketball hoop, table tennis tables and additional areas for free play. The existing outdoor classroom is also integrated here and provided in a quieter, green, shaded area, which is combined with a sound garden.
Towards the east, the schoolyard develops into a shady retreat. Here there is another green classroom and green niches and areas for gardening. The furniture throughout the school grounds invites children to spend time in different ways. This allows groups of pupils to gather, interact and move around everywhere. The green spaces are designed to become denser and higher towards the edges, reducing visibility into the school grounds. The varied and site-appropriate planting areas promote ecological learning processes and sensitise pupils to environmental issues. Additional green islands respond to climatic challenges. The open space thus not only meets the requirements of a modern schoolyard, but also promotes a conscious engagement with nature and sustainability.
In the area of the northern main access, a sufficient number of bicycle racks will be retained. Access to the waste disposal area and the small boiler house will be integrated.
New Molecular Biology Building at the University of Biology on the Poppelsdorf Campus of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität | Bonn
1st Prize | New Molecular Biology Building at the University of Biology on the Poppelsdorf Campus of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität
Bonn
In collaboration with Atelier30
Urban planning concept
The four-storey new building for the molecular biology laboratory fits into the overall concept of the existing master plan as another precisely placed building block. The upper part of the building consists of a staggered technical floor and a roof terrace. Along Planstraße E, the main entrance is clearly accentuated by a recess on the ground floor, creating an inviting entrance. The landscaped forecourt with integrated bicycle parking spaces emphasises the entrance area and creates a pleasant atmosphere. Additional access points are planned in the south-western area along Campusallee and along the connecting axis between Planstraße E and Käthe-Kümmel-Straße. These will enable internal deliveries and provide access to a side entrance. To strengthen the campus identity, the ground floor around the central atrium is primarily arranged for communicative and public-oriented functions such as seminar areas, computer pools and an exhibition area in the foyer. In the urban context of the surrounding institute buildings, the façade presents itself as a finely structured ribbon façade with integrated photovoltaic elements that also serve as sun protection. Vertical façade elements add rhythm to the building envelope and serve to guide the external sun protection system. Wooden elements are planned for the parapets, which lend the overall appearance a warm, material-appropriate accent and underline the building’s sustainability strategy.
Internal and external access, spatial organisation
The new building has a central access system that connects all functional areas via short routes. The communicative heart of the building – a spacious interior with open communication zones – facilitates orientation and promotes interdisciplinary exchange. All essential vertical access elements, such as emergency staircases, technical shafts and sanitary areas, are grouped around this core on all levels. In addition to general functions and central seminar rooms, the differentiated inner courtyard with its projections and recesses and the adjacent terrace areas form the green centre of the building. On the ground floor, the exhibition area, seminar zones and functional rooms such as practical training areas, an electrical workshop and computer pools are located around this courtyard.
In addition to the emergency staircases, the upper floors are accessed via a continuous gallery-like staircase that leads directly to the communication centre. Changing seminar zones, terraces and open communication areas on all levels invite informal exchange. The staggered arrangement within the floor plans creates an exciting inner courtyard that structures and enlivens the building ensemble as a connecting element. Laboratories, evaluation areas and flexible office spaces are organised logically and according to use within the floors and are optimally connected to the access routes.
The overall result is a finely balanced spatial structure with a central communicative heart and quiet, decentralised work areas – a structure that promotes both exchange and concentrated work.
In the interests of ecological sustainability, the roof area is extensively greened with native grasses and shrubs to promote biodiversity. In addition, employees have access to another roof terrace as a recreation area with a view over the campus. A large-scale photovoltaic system is also planned to supply the building with its own electricity, making a significant contribution to its energy efficiency.
Architecture, construction and materials
The building is designed as an optimised hybrid construction in which materials are used specifically where they make functional, economic and ecological sense. The choice of materials is based on the resource-saving concept of recycling, which is to be effective throughout the entire life cycle. The primary structure will be constructed as a material-efficient reinforced concrete skeleton using semi-prefabricated elements. The use of recycled concrete is planned or being examined where it is structurally and economically feasible. The clear and consistent structural design allows the use of prefabricated building elements and enables a robust, economical construction method and an optimised construction process. The basement, stairwell cores, point-supported ceilings and fire protection components are constructed using solid construction methods. The building is reinforced by the central access and technical cores.
The façade elements are planned to be highly thermally insulated, prefabricated timber constructions with vertically structured timber cladding. The vertical sword structure in the area of the window bands serves to accommodate the integrated photovoltaic elements and at the same time structures the façade appearance. The horizontally arranged PV modules also serve as structural sun protection and integrate the necessary fire protection.
The static system – combined with a high degree of prefabrication – forms the basis for an economical, time-efficient and durable construction method. The laboratory grid is defined as 1.20 m. This results in construction grids of 3.60 m, 7.20 m and 10.80 m. Wide-span ceilings are supported by joists. The window division follows the expansion grid and allows flexible connection of mobile partition walls for variable room structuring.
The interiors are characterised by a clear material aesthetic: light-coloured wall surfaces, wooden surfaces and glass create a high-quality, light-flooded room climate. In combination with coordinated floor coverings and a differentiated colour and material concept, rooms are created that are equally suitable for concentrated individual work and open teamwork.
Redesign of the Mühlenberg School Campus | Wipperfürth
Recognition | Redesign of the Mühlenberg School Campus
Wipperfürth
In collaboration with LH Architekten and STLH Architekten
Guiding principle and urban planning
The new building for the school campus consists of three simple, interlocking volumes for the two uses, secondary school and junior high school, as well as the shared areas in between. Due to the different space requirements, the three cubes differ in area and height, resulting in a differentiated overall ensemble in which the individual uses remain clearly distinguishable. The building for the secondary school is located in the western part of the site, while the one for the secondary modern school is in the eastern part. With four and five upper floors respectively, both towers above the three-story cube for the communal areas and specialist classrooms, thus preserving the independence of both schools as separate organizational units. The building volumes for the secondary school and the communal areas each have inner courtyards to ensure that all rooms receive natural light. The arrangement of the buildings allows the new construction to be built in two phases, eliminating the need for costly interim solutions. The height gradation of the school campus follows the eastward-sloping topography of the site, minimizing the building’s footprint. Due to this topography, another partially buried “garden level” is created to the southwest under the ground floor, which accommodates additional uses in all areas. The two schoolyards can thus be arranged on different levels, extending to the southwest (secondary school) and northeast (middle school) adjacent to the building structures, thus following the basic idea of separate organizational units. Both schoolyards have the required covered areas thanks to undercuts in the building volume. The clear color scheme of the facades follows the color code for the two schools, while the central building for communal use has its own color code. The Voss Arena is getting a new entrance building, which not only allows access from the schoolyard but is also accessible directly from the street via an additional floor. The arena will thus have its own address and visibility from the street, and therefore access independent of the school grounds.
Open space
The site is accessed via a shared entrance from the north. A second entrance is provided from the south-west, via the entrance to the residential area to the south. The required parking spaces are still located here, but have been rearranged. The shared sports fields are located in the southern green belt, as are the ‘green classrooms’, and surround the schoolyards. Taking into account the need for maximum flexibility in the use of the schoolyard areas, green islands and tree plantings are also planned here to enhance the quality of the environment and improve the microclimate. The outdoor classrooms of both schools are also embedded in the green setting. Here, too, the topography is utilised and made visible with seating edges. Despite the sloping location, areas have been created that are available for rainwater retention. Lighter, but non-glare colours were chosen for the surfaces, as these absorb less radiant heat.
Building structure
The three equivalent main entrances each face the northern forecourt, are marked by building recesses and are therefore easy to find. The organisational principle of both schools is identical: the main entrances lead to the administration and staff areas located on the ground floor and to the vertical main access cores, which are arranged in the overlapping areas of the cubes. These cores also serve as transitions and connections to the centrally located shared facilities, such as the auditorium and cafeteria, and the specialist classrooms on the upper floors. At the ends of each building, there is an external staircase that serves as a second escape route. Both schools have ‘floor foyers’ on the upper floors, which provide access to the learning cluster areas. The staircases and foyers are designed differently depending on the school, which emphasises the respective identities of the schools and facilitates orientation. On the third floor, both schools have a roof terrace on the roof of the central building. The central building houses the forum, the library and the all-day area on the ground floor, while the garden level houses the two-storey auditorium and the canteen, as well as music rooms. The spacious open staircase with seating steps in the forum connects both floors. The forum and canteen are assigned to the respective schoolyards as rain break areas. The upper floors of the central building house the specialist classrooms that can be used and are required by both schools.
Materiality, construction & sustainability
The entire building above the garden level, which is designed as a solid structure, is conceived as a wood-concrete composite construction. The access and stairwell cores are constructed of reinforced concrete to meet fire protection requirements and at the same time ensure the bracing of the building. In the remaining areas, a concrete ceiling will be laid on wooden beams in a 1.25 m grid. These beams are connected to main beams in the direction of the facade and corridor walls, which rest on supports in a 3.75 m grid. This construction minimises the amount of material required for the ceilings. All wooden components are dimensioned to ensure fire protection through combustion. The materiality of the construction can thus be made visible and tangible in all areas of the building. The skeleton construction allows for a flexible response to all requirements of the room programme, and subsequent adjustments to room sizes are easily possible. The construction grid is also carried over to the exterior via the façade. Vertical wooden pilaster strips divide it, and in the base areas this grid is replaced by the main column grid of 3.75 m. Striking cantilevered window sills as the upper edge of the parapet areas form the horizontal counterpart. The varying cladding of the parapet bands made of profiled ceramic elements gives each building its own identity. The colour scheme of the pilaster strips, parapets and other closed façade areas is largely monochrome, following the colour concept for the individual areas of use: secondary school (blue), middle school (green) and secondary modern school (red). All rooms have external sun protection. The roof of the central building is intensively greened and can be activated as a retention roof; each school has its own terrace here. The roofs of the school buildings are extensively greened and equipped with large-scale PV systems. Heat is supplied by a heat pump, which can also be used for cooling in summer. Most of the rooms are equipped with underfloor heating. The optimal orientation of the rooms – the majority face north or south – minimises solar gain in summer. The proportion of glazing in the façade was designed to reduce the use of artificial lighting.
Open space planning for the Jeetzel riverbank, Amtsgarten park and old cemetery | Lüchow
Recognition | Open space planning for the Jeetzel riverbank, Amtsgarten park and old cemetery
Lüchow
The three inner-city green spaces – Amtsgarten, Alter Friedhof and Jeetzelufer – form a continuous sequence of open spaces along Lange Straße, allowing visitors to experience nature, water and tranquillity in the heart of Lüchow. They are connected by a continuous, barrier-free path system, enabling visitors to easily explore the different qualities of each area. Uniform furnishings, lounge and relaxation areas provide orientation and enhance the quality of the experience, while the different landscape characteristics of the three spaces convey different atmospheres. The design combines historical, social and ecological aspects, strengthens the identity of the city centre and offers places for people of all generations to meet, relax and enjoy local recreation.
The deliberate sequence of green spaces creates clear connections between the individual areas as well as an overarching urban experience. The integration of natural design elements, planting and water-related structures supports the ecological function, strengthens biodiversity and contributes to a sustainable, resilient city centre. The result is a coherent overall concept that enhances the quality of life, appeals to different user groups and positions the city centre as a vibrant urban space with a strong identity in the long term.
Jeetzel riverbank
The Jeetzel river flows through the centre of Lüchow from north to south and shapes the cityscape as an inner-city river. Historically used as a transport route, today the Jeetzel primarily serves functions in flood protection, urban structure and ecological concerns. The inner-city banks are currently heavily regulated, with only a few natural recreation areas available, and the river remains largely inaccessible to citizens.
The aim of the redesign is to integrate the Jeetzel more closely into city life, strengthen its ecological potential and create new opportunities for recreation and experiences. Taking into account the urban conditions and flood protection, a concept was developed that combines natural design with recreational opportunities.
Seating steps have been integrated into the embankment at several points along the riverbank, and floating wooden decks have been installed on the water in some places, allowing visitors to experience the river up close. In the northern area, a landing stage for canoes and similar uses is also being built, supplemented by safe access from the road ‘Am Deich’. The southern recreation area, on the side of the retirement home, has been designed to be barrier-free, so that people of all ages can reach and enjoy the water via a ramp integrated into the embankment.
The sequence of recreational areas blends harmoniously into the urban structure: sometimes urban, sometimes close to nature, creating a varied experience. In addition, new benches and so-called ‘chill sofas’ have been installed along the existing paths, inviting visitors to take short breaks and linger on the banks. In order not to compromise flood protection on the dyke, it was kept free of trees and permanently installed fixtures. Instead, new trees were planted along the paths on the side facing away from the water, providing shade on the paths and seating areas and thus further enhancing the recreational facilities.
The embankments were planted with vegetation typical of the location in many places. Plant communities typical of rivers in the water and on the banks contribute to ecological diversity, promote biodiversity and support the natural purification of the water. Flowering meadows along the shore zones provide additional habitat for insects and other small animals. The meadows are mowed twice a year to ensure that the embankments are flood-proof.
The result is a Jeetzel riverbank that enhances the town, offers residents new recreational opportunities and spaces for exercise, and at the same time strengthens ecological functions. The redesign combines urban life, nature and water experiences, thus contributing significantly to the enhancement of Lüchow’s town centre.
Amtsgarten park
The listed Amtsgarten forms an important green space in the south-west of Lüchow. As a historic park with a rural character, it is shaped by the course of the Drawehner Jeetzel, which flows through the grounds in gentle curves and remains a defining feature of the area.
The aim of the redesign is to enhance the existing qualities of the Amtsgarten, improve its amenity value and make the connection to the water more tangible. Taking into account the requirements of monument preservation, a careful, nature-oriented upgrade was carried out that respects existing structures while creating new offerings for different user groups.
The path layout has been supplemented and improved to provide clear orientation and better access without detracting from the landscape character. Along the Drawehner Jeetzel, sections of the riverbank have been opened up to create an accessible floodplain area. Typical river vegetation and water-purifying plants strengthen the ecological function and promote biodiversity. Seating steps and wooden platforms invite visitors to linger by the water and create places where the water can be experienced with all the senses.
The pergola was renovated and the historic relic preserved as an identity-defining element. A newly added, weather-protected pavilion complements the offering and provides a sheltered place to relax. A sound trail and newly created wildflower areas add further layers of experience, making the Amtsgarten a place of discovery.
The subtle, natural design and the uniform, understated use of materials and forms create a harmonious overall picture that preserves the historic character. The Amtsgarten thus becomes a local recreation park that combines nature, history and green spaces – a green experience in the middle of the city that sustainably enhances the ecological and atmospheric quality of the location.
Construction of a new multi-purpose residential building | Filderstadt-Bernhausen
2nd Prize | Construction of a new multi-purpose residential building
Filderstadt-Bernhausen
In collaboration with ATELIER30 Architekten GmbH
Urban Planning and Internal Organisation
The new building stands as a confident urban element on the corner of Bernhäuser Hauptstraße and Volmarstraße, on the site of the former car park. It marks both the start and the spatial conclusion of the pedestrian zone on Bernhäuser Hauptstraße, thereby reinforcing the urban presence of this important local area.
The carefully designed, L-shaped structure responds sensitively to the existing context. It incorporates both the height profile and the building lines of the adjacent development, translating the small-scale, granular character of the surrounding area into a contemporary architectural structure.
The conceptual section complements the ensemble naturally and, with its transverse orientation towards Volmarstraße, provides an urban conclusion to it. The striking four-storey structure in the implementation section creates an inviting forecourt through a deliberate setback, thereby clearly marking the public uses on the ground floor.
Both the event space and the restaurant are accessed via a spacious foyer. Both areas are deliberately oriented towards Bernhäuser Hauptstraße, thereby helping to bring life to the public space. In addition, both the event space and the restaurant have their own entrance from the forecourt. This allows both areas to be operated independently of one another, whilst at the same time facilitating synergies between them. The event area is further complemented by a terrace opening onto the tranquil inner courtyard.
The foyer area also houses the central staircase, which provides access to the apartments on the upper floors. The staircase is accessible from both Bernhäuser Hauptstraße and the green inner courtyard. This provides future residents with direct and easy access to the communal open space. The courtyard serves as the communicative heart of the neighbourhood and offers space for relaxation, socialising and neighbourly interaction.
The ground floor also houses all the ancillary rooms for the catering kitchen as well as the central toilet facilities. A passageway from Volmarstraße connects the courtyard directly to the public street space, thereby enhancing the neighbourhood’s accessibility.
The longitudinal section of the building is designed to accommodate additional commercial space, which can be easily subdivided as required thanks to its flexible layout. The ground floor is complemented by an electric bicycle storage room, separate waste disposal rooms and the building services room.
The floors above are based on a clearly structured floor plan with a grid of approximately 3.00 m. This structure allows for a high degree of flexibility in the design of different apartment types. Two-, three- and four-room apartments can be created on each floor. Around 50% of the flats are designed to be fully accessible, whilst the remaining flats are designed to be barrier-free. All flats also feature a loggia, which serves as a sheltered private outdoor space and significantly enhances the quality of living.
The entrance to the underground car park is located in the desired area in the north-east of the site. The underground car park provides a total of 24 parking spaces as well as additional storage areas for residents. On the third floor, the stepped storeys respond sensitively to the height of the neighbouring buildings, thus creating a harmonious transition to the urban context. The conceptual section follows the same structural logic as the implementation section, thereby ensuring a clear overall architectural form.
BOMA+ | Braunschweig
2nd Price | BOMA+
Braunschweig
In collaboration with STAUTH Architekten Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB
Context and Guiding Principle
The competition site forms a central transitional space between Bohlweg, Schlosscarée, Schloss-Arkaden and the historic Magniviertel. Today, this urban space is characterised by oversized traffic areas, high levels of paving and a lack of visual and pedestrian connections. In particular, the isolating architecture of the Horten/Galeria complex and the existing design of the ‘Schloss’ tram stop prevent a natural connection with the adjacent Magniviertel.
The design therefore aims to reorganise this important inner-city area spatially, functionally and atmospherically. Under the guiding principle of “Opening up, Connecting, Greening”, the previously fragmented traffic area is transformed into a coherent urban fabric of squares and open spaces. Private motorised traffic is significantly reduced and, in accordance with the shared-space principle, relocated to the west side of Bohlweg with one lane in each direction; the area around the Ritterbrunnen is freed from through traffic. New pedestrian links, level-paved street spaces and bright, accent-paved strips running east-west strengthen the visual and functional connection between the city centre, Schlossplatz and the Magniviertel. Pocket parks in the north and south, greened recreational areas and outdoor dining amidst the greenery enhance the quality of the environment and make the Magniviertel visible and experienceable once again.
The restoration of the historic Ackerhof gateway and the creation of an attractive pedestrian link between the Magniviertel and the Schloss-Arkaden will reinforce the historic connection between these areas and re-establish links within the urban fabric. The restoration is to be financed through the sale of Horten tiles to the public and, as a community-supported project, will be firmly embedded within the local community.
Redesign of the open spaces at the Mathildenhöhe Information Centre | Darmstadt
Recognition | Redesign of open spaces at the Mathildenhöhe Information Centre
Darmstadt
The Blue Mathilde – Nature as a Gallery
The new Mathildenhöhe Information Centre stands as a standalone structure within the park, nestled in its historic and culturally rich surroundings, whilst also serving as a central focal point along the green axis linking the Old Town, the Erich-Ollenhauer Promenade and the Rosenhöhe green corridor. The design’s central concept is to create a space with maximum greenery, providing shade and evaporative cooling for visitors, changing with the seasons and offering sufficient area for infiltration and evaporation. Gathering spaces for small and large groups are created both on and along the green spaces. A long, curved path gently winds its way through the large green spaces, connecting the individual areas. The open space responds sensitively to the historical, ecological and artistic requirements of the site, combining them into a fluid, harmonious experiential space that appeals to visitors on various levels.
Hamburg-Nord district office building development | Hamburg-Eppendorf
3rd prize | Hamburg-Nord district office building development
Hamburg-Eppendorf
In collaboration with gmp Architekten
Urban development and monument preservation
The aim of this competition entry is to highlight and strengthen the potential of the listed building complex ‘Bezirksamt Hamburg-Nord’ (Hamburg-Nord District Office). The administrative building will be transformed into a liveable and sustainable neighbourhood: the Seitz Quarter will be created.
The listed buildings B-E, designed by architect Paul Seitz, will be preserved in their structural substance and carefully supplemented by three new buildings: a new tower as the highest point on the main road emphasises the start of Eppendorf with its long-distance effect. It will be located directly behind building section B1, replacing building section A, and will be connected to it by a covered hall, creating a large, contiguous inner courtyard to the east.
An extension to the former library rounds off the building block along the busy Lenhartzstraße. The street edge of the new building is set back slightly so that building E retains its presence. An extension to building C1 connects the quarter with the adjacent Marie-Jonas-Platz as a mediating building block. The original design idea is continued here, with the new building stepping down in height compared to the existing structure and creating a new frontage. In this way, all the new buildings blend harmoniously into the existing structure and the adjacent development, developing it further in a contemporary manner.
The existing buildings will be renovated in consultation with the monument protection authority and converted for new use in the interior. The façades will retain their protected appearance and will only be supplemented with balconies in the courtyard areas (buildings C and D). This will create an inner, private and landscaped courtyard as an oasis and identity-forming space for the residents of the Seitz Quarter, in contrast to the more public neighbourhood square on Marie-Jonas-Platz and the more urban square on Magistrale.
Development and use
The new buildings will enable an appropriate density of use and, as a result, greater economic efficiency for the project. Retail space is primarily located on the ground floor on the north side. Office space is located on the lower floors on the east side and at the highest point. The upper floors will contain apartments of various sizes, ranging from compact one-room apartments in the existing building to spacious townhouses in section D and maisonette apartments in section C.
Open space design
The transformation of the administrative building into a neighbourhood with commercial, office and residential units also changes the requirements for open space. Unused and inaccessible green spaces, purely functional entrance areas and parking spaces are making way for neighbourhood life and play areas. The inner courtyard is open to the public, but is primarily reserved for residents. New plantings in free, curved shapes complement the existing tree population, which is worthy of protection. The courtyard is accessed directly from the surrounding buildings. A private passageway connects the open spaces to each other.
Mobility concept
The demand for car parking spaces is determined based on empirical values, taking into account location-specific reduction factors. Residents and guests have access to two large bicycle garages, supplemented by decentralised parking areas in the outdoor areas. A mobility hub and two bicycle repair shops complete the mobility concept.
