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.
Pankstraße Comprehensive School | Berlin
1st Prize | Pankstraße Comprehensive School
Berlin
In collaboration with Atelier30 Architekten
Urban and Architectural Concept
The new Pankstraße Comprehensive School building is conceived as a precisely positioned educational component within the urban fabric of Berlin-Gesundbrunnen: robust in appearance, structured in accordance with the appropriate scale, and open in its spatial organisation. In doing so, the new building defines a clear urban boundary along Pankstraße and Schönstedtstraße. A landscaped ground floor, acting as a green filter to the urban environment, anchors the building within the public space and interprets the street-front development as a tranquil, cohesive base. At the corner site, the volume above recedes, creating, together with a pergola-like structure in the plinth, a distinctive entrance that defines the address. The resulting forecourt acts as a bridge between the city and the school and enhances the visibility of the main entrance within the urban context. The entrance leads directly into the communicative heart of the complex. The break hall, multi-purpose room, canteen and communal spaces form an open, transparent heart that connects indoor and outdoor spaces and serves as a social anchor for the school community. From here, clear pathways lead to the open spaces and the sports hall. Distinctly arranged brick structures are set upon the landscaped plinth. Their scale is derived from the organisation of the school’s functional areas.
The volumetric organisation translates the large building volume into a finer-grained structure and creates a rhythmic façade that blends sensitively into the diverse urban landscape of Gesundbrunnen. At the same time, the internal structure becomes visible from the outside, reinforcing the identity of the individual learning areas. Towards the break areas, the building mass is staggered in terraces. The accessible canteen roof extends the outdoor space to create an additional social and learning environment, supporting the spatial interconnection and dialogue between architecture and open space. The sports hall, play areas and green open spaces are linked to form a cohesive school landscape offering a variety of atmospheres and functional focuses. The clear arrangement of the building volumes enables efficient internal flows and short distances. At the same time, a variety of visual connections and transitions between interior and exterior are created, which promote orientation and social interaction. The school is thus not conceived as a monolithic building, but as a differentiated learning landscape with a high quality of space.
Construction of a new fire station and community centre | Wehrheim
Recognition | Construction of a new fire station and community centre
Wehrheim
In collaboration with Atelier30 Architekten
Urban Planning Concept
Building on its central location in the Wehrheim district, the design creates a clearly defined ‘New Centre’ that fosters a sense of identity. Two striking, two-storey structures form a distinctive ensemble that frames the new festival square spatially whilst also incorporating the requirements of the fire station and the community centre. The façade of the existing historic building to the north-east is integrated into the ensemble, so that the existing building and the new development together form the spatial boundary of the square. The festival square is designed to be multifunctional: it can be used as a car park on a day-to-day basis and offers sufficient space for events such as the Limesschule’s circus project week. Landscaped recreational areas, street furniture and a tiered open-space design featuring seating steps and green spaces create a high quality of stay. The main entrances to the community centre and the fire station face the square, reinforcing its role as a communal hub. The architecture draws on the scale and typology of the established townscape and reinterprets them in a contemporary manner through gable-fronted buildings. This creates a strong identity, clearly defined open spaces and a place for arrival, encounter and a sense of belonging.
Ortenberg core area | Ortenberg (Hesse)
2nd Prize | New urban spaces for Ortenberg
Ortenberg (Hesse)
In collaboration with Thomas Schüler Architekten und Stadtplaner
The new town centre
Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße has always been the lifeblood of Ortenberg. This central thoroughfare will be further strengthened in future and enhanced through a new design. In the heart of the town, Ortenberg is being given a new look along Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße.
A new central square is being created as a clearly laid-out hub that connects key functions and areas of the town whilst also serving as a new calling card for the town. This square forms the gateway to the historic old town. At the same time, the market square with the community centre and the new town hall are being integrated into the urban and open-space planning.
The result is a spacious, multi-purpose town centre in a central location, which, as a space that fosters a sense of identity, creates a representative and communicative urban space. The new buildings complement the existing ensemble of buildings and enliven the square through their diverse uses.
Living in the village centre
New buildings may be constructed in stages on the plots currently still occupied by existing structures along Philipp-Glenz-Straße. These will blend harmoniously into the existing streetscape in terms of their volume and roof shape.
The plans envisage mixed-use buildings comprising residential units and commercial premises on the ground floor. In future, these will form the gateway to the old town and give Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße a modern look. In the rear areas along Philipp-Glenz-Straße, additional courtyard houses are being built, intended primarily for residential use and creating a quiet, inner residential environment. Green courtyard gardens complement these residential areas and create high-quality, sheltered open spaces offering a pleasant environment in which to spend time.
Transport
A new mobility hub is being built on the market square, bringing together all aspects of ‘soft mobility’. This includes car-sharing bays, bike-share stations and charging points for electric vehicles. The ‘Ortenberg Mitte / Rathaus’ bus stop will also be integrated into this hub.
The parking concept provides for a balanced distribution of parking spaces across the town centre: 60 spaces will be located in the market square area, 40 spaces will be created in the underground car park of the new town hall, and a further 50 spaces in the Herrngarten area. This will ensure that parking facilities are organised in a decentralised manner and integrated sensibly into the respective areas of use.
Philipp-Glenz-Straße will be made a traffic-calmed zone and will in future be accessible only to residents and delivery vehicles. This will reduce through traffic and significantly enhance the quality of life in the neighbourhood.
Materiality
The materiality of the new town centre deliberately draws on Ortenberg’s historical identity. The central square is being paved with high-quality, non-directional natural stone, which lends the new urban space a durable, robust and, at the same time, prestigious appearance. The use of long-lasting, low-maintenance and resource-efficient materials also makes a sustainable contribution to future-proof and value-retaining town development.
The characteristic paving of the old town is incorporated into the design and extended into the new central square. This creates a natural connection between the historic town centre and the new town centre. The old town and the new square merge into a cohesive urban space with high recognisability and a particularly pleasant atmosphere. At the edges of the green islands within the new urban space, permeable paving with open grass joints is used. These paved areas allow rainwater to infiltrate naturally on site. At the same time, the green joints create a soft transition between the square and the vegetated areas, emphasising the landscape character of the urban space.
The market square will be fitted with a robust asphalt surface, creating a durable, hard-wearing and low-maintenance surface. This makes the market square particularly suitable for a variety of uses, such as weekly markets, festivals, mobile stages, temporary structures or access by delivery and emergency vehicles. At the same time, a level and accessible surface is created that is highly suitable for everyday use, whilst also providing space for informal play and physical activities such as cycling, skating or other spontaneous activities. The car park area will be constructed using permeable paving, allowing rainwater to seep directly into the ground on site. In the area of the new row of trees, a retention basin will also be created, which is important for the market square as it temporarily collects, stores and delays the discharge of rainwater.
The Herrngarten is being fitted with a durable gravel-turf surface that meets the functional requirements for market events, festivals and temporary uses. The area remains accessible to vehicles and durable, whilst at the same time serving as a green open space with a park-like character. Gravel turf combines usability with ecological benefits: the green surface improves the microclimate, reduces heat build-up compared to sealed surfaces and allows rainwater to seep away naturally. At the same time, the ground remains permeable and supports groundwater recharge. Gravel lawns also prove particularly robust in the event of temporary flooding. Excess water can be absorbed, temporarily stored and drained off gradually. Once the water has receded, the area quickly becomes usable again and remains permanently functional.
Rainwater / Retention
Sustainable rainwater management involves the targeted collection and retention of surface water, which is then allowed to infiltrate the ground at a later stage or released into the drainage system in a controlled manner. Green spaces, open basins and permeable surfaces help to relieve the burden on the sewerage system and promote a natural water balance in the town centre.
At the same time, the high proportion of unsealed and greened areas significantly reduces the formation of heat islands, as evaporation and shading improve the local microclimate. Rainwater is temporarily stored in open spaces, released at a delayed rate and partially infiltrated on site. This not only reduces the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall events but also ensures a controlled and nature-oriented integration into the water cycle.
The concept develops a sustainable town centre for Ortenberg that combines historic structures with new urban qualities. The reorganisation of the centre, the enhancement of the open spaces along the Nidder and the revitalisation of the market square create a versatile, identity-forming urban space.
The interplay of housing, public amenities, transport and open space creates a new centre with a high quality of life, a clear sense of place and a sustainable focus – serving as a vibrant meeting place for the entire community.
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.
