City Hall | Weilmünster
3. Prize | Rathaus Weilmünster
Weilmünster
In collaboration with Meurer Generalplaner GmbH
The New Town Hall Weilmünster is to be a lighthouse project in terms of inner-city integration, functionality and sustainability. The urban development concept envisages a town hall building consisting of two simple structures, which supports the structural unity of Weilmünster in this quarter.
A contemporary open space concept is being developed for the town hall square, which will provides in particular clarity through the ordering of functions and spaces. The result is a multifunctional square that connects the various spatial structures.
Special attention is paid to the water feature, which positively influences the microclimate through evaporation. Visitors can cool off by the water or observe it from a distance and enjoy the relaxing effect. The fountains are designed to be navigable. The fountains can also be controlled according to the time of day/season/ and weather. In the shade of a group of chestnut trees, benches are arranged in the area of the entrance. The square is planned in large stone pavers.
The material integrates the street and the opposite area around the old town hall. A generously designed new town center with a clear identity is created. The parking spaces are planned in infiltration-capable grass paving slabs. Bicycle parking spaces are planned near the entrance. Three flagpoles will be placed in front of the town hall, clearly visible from the street. The tree population will be supplemented with climate-resistant trees. In the idea area, at the listed barn, a children’s playground will be created. The upper plateau will be connected, in addition to a barrier-free access from the south, via a generous staircase. On this plateau different, generation-spreading kinds of play and sport are offered.
FORUM Communication Center | Jena
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2. Prize I FORUM Communication Center
Jena
In cooperation with Behnisch Architekten
With the Communication Center Forum, the Friedrich Schiller University is creating a building in the city center of Jena, between the Inselplatz campus in the east and the historic city center in the west, planned according to ecological guidelines for attractive meeting and work opportunities between students and teachers. Conferences, exhibitions, gastronomic facilities and overnight accommodations will also find their place here.
The open space is not only seen as a pathway, but is interpreted as a communication and recreation area that presents itself in an open and inviting manner. This urban fugue and the FORUM will welcome students, scientists and interested people and accompany them during their stay in Jena. A ‘welcome area’ in the eastern ground floor area can be opened and extended towards the square, which increases the flexibility of use and connects interior and exterior space.
On the northern side, the staircase to the lower emergency exits is relocated and, with the green area and a generous bench, an additional lounge area is created here with direct reference to the square and the FORUM.
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The café in the western ground floor area is slightly lowered opposite the path area and the square in the west. Here, a transition is created with seating steps and a staircase, which also invites people to linger.
The square in the west will be used for parking for the time being. However, the required 14 parking spaces will be arranged in such a way that the paved areas and part of the tree planting can already be realized in the first step.
In the second step, there will be further tree plantings and an addition of furniture, so that a small paved town square will be created here. The path surfaces will be designed with two different materials. Existing natural stone and new, large-format slabs symbolize the connection between history and the future. Benches and steps will be placed in front of the café in the band of slabs that separates these areas.
Town Hall Market | Bebra
1. Prize I Town Hall Market
Bebra
Traffic
The main area is free of car traffic and ideal for small events or a market. The new Rathausmarkt is intended primarily for pedestrians. The market can be reached by car and bicycle via the terrace on Nürnberger Straße. Bicycle parking spaces are located here for cyclists. On the northern side, there is a barrier-free access that can also be used by residents and the fire department, and on the southern side, the stores can be reached from Nürnberger Straße. The square is secured by the existing bollards. At the northern corner, the existing parking spaces can be supplemented by an e-charging station, which will make the Rathausmarkt more attractive and modern.
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Material and Equipment
Currently, irregular paving and vegetation structures lie in front of the building facades.
paving and vegetation structures. The open space is defined by a targeted use of different floor coverings and materials to mark use and functional areas and at the same time to achieve a uniform coordinated appearance. The area of large stone pavers marks the movement space between the adjacent stores, the town hall and the streets. The inner plaza of natural stone forms the recreation area and provides space for markets, festivals and other events. The furniture and equipment is robust and timeless. The fountain area changes the microclimate. Visitors can cool off by the water or watch it from a distance and enjoy the relaxing effect of the water. The water feature will also be well received by children, who will enjoy visiting this space to romp and play. Four flagpoles and the new position of the memorial plaque in front of the town hall complete the square.
6-Lakes Wedau - Quarter at the water tower | Duisburg
1. Prize I 6-Lakes Wedau – Quarter at the water tower
Duisburg
In collaboration with Druscke und Grosser Architektur
The new residential quarter in Duisburg, with a water tower as an identity-forming element, will offer residents sustainable and future-oriented living space in the future.
In addition to a unique urban and open space planning concept, the issue of sustainability plays a decisive role.
Urban planning concept
Two ensemble groups are created, the so-called ‘neighborhoods’, which are linked via the centrally running Planstrasse C and the pedestrian and bicycle paths. Semi-public green spaces with different uses for the residents are assigned to the neighborhoods. Thus, open spaces with opportunities for play and recreation as well as urban gardening areas are created. The public area is dominated by the surrounding parking area. In addition, two plaza areas will be created to the north of Plan Street C and a mobility station to the south.
The creation of the two new communities will initiate a high level of communication among residents and strengthen the social aspects of the neighborhood. Architecturally, this is created in part by the diverse community uses located on the first floor. Among other things, youth rooms, community rooms as well as KiTa and small retail stores are planned. Above these, apartments with balconies will be realized. The outdoor space also invites interaction with each other through the shared play areas, urban gardening areas, tenant gardens and parking areas.
Sustainibility
In addition to social aspects and the promotion of these, the issue of sustainability plays a major role. The aim is to make the building as CO2-neutral as possible and to achieve the EH40 energy-efficient house standard. This is achieved primarily through the choice of a compact building structure with an advantageous A/V ratio. In addition, the roof surfaces will be green.
The importance of sustainable design can also be seen in the exterior. The new buildings blend harmoniously into the existing park and green structures. In addition, only a small amount of surface area is sealed and planting that promotes biodiversity is aimed for.
Suburban Development | Bonn
2. Prize I Suburban Development
Bonn
In collaboration with Baufrösche Architekten und Stadtplaner GmbH
In the development of the urban design, the “good” neighbourhood in the area is in the foreground. All building plots are clearly delimited and can use the special features of the allocated land for their “own neighbourhood” and identity. The preservation of formative wooded structures in connection with new green structures, a market place with gastronomy and a supermarket increase the qualities of stay and ecology for residents and visitors.
Urban planning concept
The new residential quarter with the market place, bus station, supermarket with senior citizens’ center, day care center and a restaurant loft forms a new center in the Roleber district. This identity-creating concept is a sensible addition to the existing structure, enriches the public space and is sure to become a popular meeting place in the district. Our design carefully develops the existing urban situation at the edges and uses the building sites at the central park and market place for moderate densification with apartment buildings. The urban development concept allows for flats of exceptionally high quality due to the generous relationship to the outdoor space, the creation of a clearly defined private sphere and the high-quality development.
- detached house cubes
- good ventilation and comfortable microclimate
- optimal building orientation
- good lighting for all flats
- residential courtyards with a communal center
- terraced house complexes with a neighbourhood square
- attractive row of semi-detached houses with a view of the nature reserve
- clear completion and rounding off of the development vis-à-vis the FFH and nature conservation area
- garden courtyard houses at the transition to the existing detached houses
- stacked single-family houses (Einspänner) and a residential tower in the Alleen quarter
- compact residential courtyards without basement close to the neighbourhood garage
- development ring with visitor parking for short distances
- a day-care center with a connection to the park and market place
- Diversity in the house typologies and thus also diversity in the housing offer
- No direct orientation of private open spaces / balconies towards the cemetery
- Fire protection – predominantly three-storey construction, where possible with staggered storeys and a residential tower with safety staircase
- a supermarket and a restaurant loft at the bus station and market square
- a senior citizens’ center above the supermarket for residential groups and assisted living
Concept for open spaces
The urban development concept results in a high proportion of green spaces with characteristic woody structures, sophisticated planting and attractive garden areas. The central park as a “playground” for young and old and a market place offers spaces with high quality of stay.
- Large, varied green and drainage areas
- Preservation of characteristic woody structures
- Multi-layered uses on the neighbourhood square, e.g. as a boules court, market place, open space for playgrounds and youth mobiles, meeting place and a location for neighbourhood festivals.
- an “equipment playground” with a connection to a green corridor in the optional development areas.
- Fitness park with exercise equipment in the central park
- preservation of the “moat” with its magnificent tree population
- all roofs will be extensively greened
- Rainwater is collected in cisterns and used for garden irrigation
- All excess roof water and rainwater on the development paths will be infiltrated into the adjacent green spaces in partially widening seepage trenches to improve the balance of groundwater recharge in the area.
- Retention trough for rainwater as a small biotope
- Parking spaces with infiltration joints
- safe pedestrian connections
- the preservation of large existing trees and the generous green spaces with new trees meet the increased need for urban green space as a buffer for heat and heavy rainfall events due to climate change and as a dust filter
RT unlimited and BETZ-Areal | Reutlingen
1. Prize | RT unlimited and BETZ-Areal
Reutlingen
In collaboration with HHS Planer + Architekten AG and LK Argus GmbH
Climate change and social change are the outstanding issues of future-oriented development. The climate turnaround can only be achieved if a turnaround in transport design is also successful. The central task will be to reconcile this with the necessary mobility needs, also in Reutlingen unlimited. The basic consideration for the traffic planning concept is thus to deal sensitively and sustainably with the existing traffic infrastructures in the planning area. The reorganisation and adaptation of the traffic development will take place on the basis of the existing situation. The current main access road, Max-Planck-Strasse, can be almost completely retained.
Against the backdrop of climate change and a changing awareness of “healthy mobility”, structures are to be created within the area that structures are to be created within the area that support appropriate forms of locomotion. Therefore traffic areas within the area should be differentiated and areas are to be created that enable safe movement by bicycle and on foot. The creation of safe cycle paths will make it possible to cross quickly and safely.
With the establishment of bicycle rental stations and protected parking facilities and bicycle boxes within the area. Cycle traffic is additionally promoted. The cycle paths and footpaths connect the open spaces within and outside the site and connect to existing pedestrian and and cycle paths. In addition to the footpath and cycle path connections, the area is served by public transport with buses and, in the future, additionally by smaller electric and hydrogen mini-buses.
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Urban planning concept
- High density, urban city spaces,
- attractive neighbourhood open spaces,
- low traffic load,
- flexible parcelling,
- flexible arrangement and modification of walls and storey ceilings,
- sustainable buildings.
Generous neighbourhood squares are created at central points in the planning area. At public uses will be located at the edges of the squares (local supply, fitness, childcare). The squares are within easy walking or cycling distance. The RTUnlimited industrial area is being developed around the neighbourhood squares.
Open space concept
The understanding of public space as an animated urban area is a central building block of the overall concept. The aim of this concept is therefore to significantly upgrade streets, squares and paths, primarily as recreational areas and only secondarily as traffic areas.
This is a decisive prerequisite for the development of an attractive and liveable district. For these reasons, the main development is generously dimensioned as the central backbone of the neighborhood. The boulevard, furnished with high-quality trees and furniture will be upgraded with an independent profile. The squares are the identity-forming point of the area.
In the realization part, the area develops from the “entrance square” towards the west. The bus stops, the suburban railway and a multi-storey car park are connected via this square. In addition, the square takes on the function of a public neighbourhood square that opens up to the boulevard. This creates an attractive urban space with a high quality of stay, traffic safety and social control for pedestrians and cyclists, and promotes a representative address for the neighbouring businesses and customers.
Overall, the development system can be characterised as finely structured, clear and open. The different zoning, street space divisions, the clear visual axes and the square-like expansions along the main development along the main development – the “Green Boulevard” – results in optimal orientation for all road users. This urban promenade not only opens up the entire commercial area, but also presents itself as a strong identification feature for the residents. Planted with different types of trees, this new wide neighbourhood boulevard changes throughout the year.
Especially in spring and autumn, when the trees blossom and their autumn colours dominate the cityscape. In summer, when the twine trees blossom creamy white, and in autumn, when the leaves of the oaksturn an intense play of yellow and orange, the neighbourhood boulevard sets a strong accent, even beyond.
The new street furniture consisting of long double benches invites people to linger under the trees planted at different intervals. The central heart of the boulevard will be the neighbourhood square. Café or restaurant with outdoor catering and shops. On the square, in the shade of the free-standing trees, urban life takes place. In the ideas section, another town square is planned as a link between the neighbourhoods.
A park with a lake forms a central open space element and increases the added value of the entire district. The lake will be created for the retention of rainwater and will contribute to the quality of stay with its seating steps and footbridges. The proposed open spaces and the individually designed roof areas in the form of terraces, loggias and roof gardens create differentiated open space qualities and offers for various uses.
The new neighbourhood is characterised by a strongly greened structure.
Habakuk Daycare Center | Friedrichshafen
2. Prize I Habakuk Daycare Centerk
Friedrichshafen
In collaboration with mt2 Architekten I Stadtplaner BDA, TRAGRAUM Ingenieure PartmbB
The basic concept of the open space planning revolves around a clearing motif. The adjacent forest extends into the processing area, and encloses its edge, thus forming a clearing-like situation.
The new daycare center, with its open spaces and the existing facilities, such as the multi-generation playground and the sports field, fits naturally into the tree structure and thus syncing as part of the forest or the clearing.
The result is an atmospherically natural overall picture in which the architecture and the surrounding landscape function as a unit.
The outdoor play area is divided into three “islands” with differentiated, age-specific games. The “play islands” are implemented freely in a spacious meadow and are arranged in such a way that they are oriented towards the respective group rooms.
© mt2 Architekten I Stadtplaner BDA
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Scattered tree implementations create shaded areas and structures the overall space – in which different play areas are atmospherically created but which maintain a clearly visible and manageable system.
The aim is to create a robust, and varied range of games that stimulate the imagination and encourage the children’s urge to move.
Officebuilding GIZ Campus | Eschborn
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2. Prize I Officebuilding GIZ Campus
Eschborn
In collaboration with schneider + schumacher
The open spaces flow around the new GIZ building in soft lines. Clinker terraces and gravelled areas interact with green spaces overgrown with trees to form a spatially attractive sequence of open spaces that can be used for a break in the open air as well as for concentrated work at individual places or a meeting in the shade of the trees.
The basic shape of the building creates clearly defined outdoor areas, each of which sets different focal points for their uses:
- The forecourt as a prelude and welcoming place is paved to the necessary extent, and offers enough space for arriving groups, waiting people and cars driving up. In the center, a decorative bed with moisture-tolerant plants such as brightly flowering irises and tall sedges collects and cleans the rainwater from the adjacent areas.
- The courtyard in front of the staff restaurant is screened from the street by a gently rising embankment with seating steps and a planting at its back. The size of the courtyard is designed in such a way that individual tables can be placed slightly apart from each other so that they can also be used as desks or for meetings.
- The delivery courtyard is screened off at the south-eastern corner.
- The two northern courtyards are limited by the wooded islands and are also less sunny overall due to the building shade, which is beneficial during breaks as well as when working during the warm months.
- The courtyards are also designed to move the small informal meetings in the tea kitchen outside in a very short distance. The terraces are embedded in a shade planting at least waist-high and screened by individual large shrubs for privacy.
- The large roof area in direct spatial connection with the co-working and event area combines ball sports and gymnastics, breaks and urban farming as well as the possibility of working outdoors to enable informal gatherings with different groups. The individual areas are arranged in such a way that they interfere with each other as little as possible. Directly adjoining the corridor area is a large event terrace, which could also be enlarged if necessary.
The planting concept relies on a low-maintenance and robust strategy that can best be described as “controlled wilderness with increased biodiversity”. This broad ecological amplitude begins with the roofs, which develop into dry grasslands with a high diversity of species and a large number of Red List species through special substrates and hay seeds (also on the solar roofs!), and ends with the flowering wet meadow of the forecourt.
All green spaces are designed as species-rich meadows or site-appropriate woodland islands with a flowering undersow of native wild shrubs and become an important stepping stone of urban biodiversity. Where possible, surface water is channelled openly and infiltrated into hollows.
Wolffskeelhalle | Markt Reichenberg
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1.Prize | Wolffskeelhalle
Markt Reichenberg
The surrounding open space of the Wolffskeelhalle is structurally divided into two levels, a “lower” level on the 2nd basement of the hall and an “upper” level on the ground floor. A spacious staircase in the context of the new building connects these levels with one another.
Lageplan © GTL
The “lower” level creates a strong connection to Bahnhofstrasse and consequently to the village center and thus brings the refurbished, converted Wolffskeelhalle more into focus, making it more present and transforming it into a clear landmark. The foyer, in front of the hall that serves as a residential stay, gives way to a public, sloping green space. A forecourt leads the visitors to the main entrance and offers space for different uses. In addition, it provides a qualitative free space for the premises of the youth center, the clubs and the foyer. A spacious wooden deck as a living element offers a view of the surrounding landscape.
Pedestrian and car access from the direction of Bahnhofstrasse and Reutergasse are clearly separated from each other. With the car you are clearly guided to the new, two-story parking deck.
The new parking deck slides into the existing embankment, creating a schoolyard extension on the “upper” level. Through this measure, the long, narrow open space of the school is selectively expanded, which creates different uses and qualities. The “upper” level is understood as an axis of open space which connects the school, kindergarten and Wolffskeelhalle to each other and serves different usage requirements. The result is a space that can be used in a variety of ways, a connection axis that also takes up the surrounding path network and joins them with one another to create different spaces that invite you to linger.
Due to the new parking deck, the existing trees on the embankment are no longer required. However, this measure is compensated by a large supply of new green spaces with numerous new plantings.
Landmark Turbine factory | Mannheim
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3. Prize I Landmark Turbine factory
Mannheim
In collaboration with netzwerkarchitekten GmbH
The ‘landmark building’ is designed as a floating volume above an elongated 6-storey plinth building. The base provides the boulevard extension of Rollbühlstrasse with an urban setting and enables the clear contouring of the turbine plant area. An inviting and flexibly usable ground floor zone enables the landmark formation and public activation of the quarter with restaurant and outdoor catering.
The entrance foyer of the high point opens up in a glass corner. Here, a generous staircase spans the historic gatehouse and marks the urban opening into the turbine factory. A special floor with a lush green roof garden for the conference area is inserted via the ‘horizontal cut’ in the building cubature. Ceramic pilaster strip in the color canon of the bricks are an identity-forming link to the Turbinenwerk area.
Lageplan © GTL, netzwerkarchitekten