Mühlengrund district

Berlin

The “Mühlengrund” in Neu-Hohenschönhausen is a popular and still affordable residential area surrounded by large-scale urban structures on the northern outskirts of Berlin. In recent years, however, infrastructural deficits have become increasingly apparent here. There was no “neighborhood center” and there is a shortage of doctors. In order to meet the growing demand for housing in Berlin and the needs of residents who have lived here for a long time, the plots of a former department store and two unprofitable new buildings from the 1990s were released for demolition a few years ago. The convenient transport connections with a streetcar stop, a beautiful stock of trees and an existing neighborhood square with a remarkable fountain sculpture provided the backdrop for a neighborhood development with three buildings around this lively outdoor space.

Building

The open floor plans of the houses are filled with a variety of different types of apartments - apartments with outside access through a private garden, single apartments and multi-storey apartments with different numbers of rooms through to open-plan apartments for five or more people. The inner courtyards are private, reserved for the building community and their guests - with children's playgrounds, trees and benches for spending time together. The access systems are developed in a differentiated manner depending on the orientation of the building, use of the ground floor and optimized escape routes. The roof areas are extensively greened or covered with PV systems for tenant electricity. Stationary traffic is organized in the basement levels of buildings 1 and 3, as are a relevant proportion of the bicycle parking spaces, the building services and storage rooms for rental units.

Construction

The three buildings of different heights and storeys - VI - VIII - were developed as 3 free-standing volumes in timber-concrete hybrid construction:
The supporting structure of each building forms a simple skeleton of reinforced concrete columns with semi-precast flat slabs. This creates a “plan libre”, a free floor plan with options for different uses and layouts: Retail and other businesses on the ground floor, the health center and offices on the first floor as a “service horizon”, then the residential floors above with a diverse mix of apartments.

Facade

The building envelope is formed by curtain-type, storey-high wall elements in timber frame construction. The elements were completely pre-assembled at the factory, insulated and clad with rear-ventilated timber or metal façades.
The material of the outer skin changes from house to house or, in some cases, from building side to building side. This creates an exciting interplay of pre-greyed timber and white trapezoidal sheet metal facades. The steel balconies, which are also completely prefabricated, puncture the timber façades in a seemingly random rhythm. Together with the free interplay of the differently sized windows, this creates an exciting façade image.

ConcreteGlassHybridInfrastructureLivingMixedOfficePublicRetailSteelWood

Site Plan
H1 | Floorplan Ground Floor
H1 | Regular Floorplan
H2 | Floorplan Ground Floor
H2 | Regular Floorplan
H3 | Floorplan Ground Floor
H3 | Regular Floorplan

Data

Completion

1. BA (House 3) 08.2020
2. BA (House 1+2) 06.2022

Address

House 1: Rotkamp 2-4
House 2: Rotkamp 6
House 3: Rüdickenstr. 33
13053 Berlin

Client

HOWOGE
Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbH
Ferdinand-Schultze-Str. 71
13055 Berlin

Partner

Fire Protection:
ISB Hahn Ingenieurbüro, Berlin
Supporting Structure:
IB Bauwesen Horn, Leipzig
Bauphysik:
CAPE - climate architecture physics energy, Esslingen
TGA:
Janowski Ingenieure GmbH, Berlin

Detail Facade
Detail Facade

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Westfalenforum – Re-think the Urban

Dortmund

The era of inner-city shopping malls and shopping streets is coming to an end. New forms of retail and digital payment methods are making old-style shopping malls obsolete. This creates the opportunity to rediscover the city as a living space and give it back to the people. However, it is by no means possible to simply replace retail with housing.

Urbanity is created through plurality

This includes mixed uses as well as different residential typologies that promote real neighborhoods and generate identification potential for one's own “Kiez”. Sustainability, the lowest possible energy requirements, resource awareness from the limited building site to the selected building materials, mobility, etc. are self-evident aspects of the planning. However, the essential characteristic should be the creation of new places where people like to live.

A - Access

A group of buildings of different types with differentiated heights forms a new neighborhood. It is linked by public paths, alleyways and small squares - for access to the buildings, small-scale retail, eating and drinking or simply for spending time. The quarter is integrated into the overarching network of routes in the city center between the main train station, Westenhellweg and Marktplatz or Hansaplatz.

B - Mixed Use

The use of the buildings and floors will be mixed. Small, adaptable stores, cafés and restaurants will be created on the first floors, which can be extended to the first floor if required. Commercial uses will also dominate the first floor - offices, doctors and the like. The basement brings the buildings together under one floor and forms a continuous storey for parking spaces, technical rooms and other ancillary areas.

C - Sustainability

The use of materials, an efficient energy concept, short distances, the multi-layered linking of individual private and public mobility, social and cultural acceptance and other sustainability aspects are developed from the outset in a multi-professional team and brought together in an overall concept. A key starting point for us is the conceptual integration of an accessible green backdrop. As a structural break, it separates the floors with commercial use from those with residential use. It runs through the buildings, the courtyards, becomes denser at selected edges, recesses or terraces and gathers as a roof garden with bridges connecting all the buildings - a multi-storey park designed for the residents of these buildings.

D - Mobility

The group of buildings on Amiens Square is located in the immediate vicinity of Dortmund's main railway station with a variety of regional and national connections as well as direct access to inner-city public transport with buses and the S-Bahn. We will combine these options with a concept that ensures individual mobility - through an internal sharing system for e-bikes and cars that are available to residents. We expect to be able to at least halve the number of parking spaces required in this way. The remaining parking space requirement will be covered in the basement.

ConcreteGlassHybridInfrastructureLivingMasonryMixedOfficePublicRetailSteelWood

Site Plan
Floorplan Ground Floor
Elevation West

Data

Study

2017

Address

Kampstraße 37 - 39,
Hansastraße 5
44137 Dortmund
Germany

Floorplan Regular Floor
Elevation East
Longitudinal Section

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House at MIR

Gelsenkirchen

With its wedge-shaped cubature and variety of uses, the Haus am MIR mediates between the public use of the “Musiktheater im Revier - MIR” and the adjacent residential development to the east of Schalker Strasse. In terms of space and design, the new building frames and accentuates the current, very heterogeneous “non-space” on the east side of the MIR.

The recessed first floor is integrated into the public space through its transparency. This effect is reinforced by a homogeneously designed theater forecourt surface that incorporates the new building. An independent, highly recognizable urban space is created between the different uses.

ConcreteGlassHybridInfrastructureMixedOfficePublicRetailSteel

Data

Completion

1997

Address

Kennedyplatz 14
45881 Gelsenkirchen

Client

Musiktheater im Revier, Gelsenkirchen

Detail Façade

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Urban Densification Study Nordhafenquartier

Berlin

The most urgent goal of the urban densification study for the Nordhafen quarter is to develop the site as part of a future living environment in the new Europacity. For us, Europaplatz is an urban campus - a meeting place for residents and everyone who works here.

In addition, the study discusses the overlapping of private and publicly accessible uses, in parts also within the building, as well as the possibilities of resource-saving measures for heating and cooling at this special location.

A new district emerges

The inner-city wasteland, which has so far been largely unused or only rudimentarily used, is set to become a lively district with a direct connection to Berlin's main railway station. Despite good connections to the transport network, the site must nevertheless be understood and thought of as an island, as it is separated from the surrounding districts by various spatial barriers. Extensive railway tracks prevent direct contact with Wedding, while the Spree Canal forms a natural border with Mitte. New bridge connections will counteract this peculiarity, but will not be able to eliminate it. This makes the new district's own urban identity all the more important. The newly created town square as the heart of the new quarter will become an address, the inner open spaces a private garden.

Construction and sustainability

The complexity and multitude of technical systems should be kept to a necessary minimum. To this end, the solid components are activated and circulated with cool night air so that the coolness stored at night naturally compensates for the internal heat loads that arise during the day. Earth ducts and - where possible - evaporative cooling from the Spree canal provide the necessary cold air. Circulation through the building is initiated by a “chimney” (stair tower), which is routed beyond the parapet edge of the building.

ConcreteGlassHybridInfrastructureMixedOfficePublicRetailSteel

Site Plan
Implementation and urban context
Floorplan Ground Floor

Data

Completion

2013

Address

Heidestraße
10557 Berlin
Germany

Client

CA Immo, Berlin

Elevation West | Façade Structure
Elevation Detail | Façade Structure
Section | Façade
Cross-Section | Cooling strategy
Floorplan 10th Floor
Elevation South | Façade Structure

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Waldpelz

Dortmund

How can emptiness be reimagined?

The design uses the derelict Kampstrasse as an opportunity for a radical change of perspective: instead of traffic space, a lively, natural urban space is created. Densification through vegetation, openness through water surfaces, small-scale interventions instead of large-scale concepts. An unexpected place that not only complements the city center, but reimagines it.

We are in the Ruhr region. Between Sauerland and the Rhein plain along the Ruhr, an artificial conglomerate of uncoordinated structural developments, driven by coal mining and steel production. Mining and steel production were already discontinued in the 1960s, since then the boom phase triggered by the above-mentioned exceptional exogenous impulses has come to an end and the Ruhr area is shrinking - not in terms of area, but in terms of population. Dortmund forms the eastern end of the Ruhr area and was an important trading city even before the initiation of mining and steel production and was part of the Hanseatic League for many years. The medieval character and urban density are no longer recognizable after massive destruction during the war; on the contrary, the reconstruction by adding large volumes followed the idea of establishing the city centre as a place for trade and services. Housing is only found in peripheral locations and on a small scale. The public areas are almost completely sealed, the dimensions of the traffic areas are optimized for car and truck traffic, and no provision was made for parks.

Where large retail spaces disappear…

One could say that the effects of the war were seen by the population as an opportunity to develop their city according to the new criteria of urban development (Athens Charter) and to establish the city center as a “shopping mall”. However, this idea is more of a “business model” than a living space. This concept was already clearly coming to an end in the 1990s and is now being accelerated by delivery services that are marginalizing bricks-and-mortar retail. This crisis of the inner city “business model” is an opportunity for the inner city living space - where large retail spaces disappear, small-scale residential structures with their necessary surroundings can emerge.

Westenhellweg, the historic commercial street, which today forms the epicenter of inner-city retail as a pedestrian zone, runs west-east through the city center. Kampstraße is arranged parallel to it, an artificial aisle, intended as a traffic axis for delivery logistics, supply and disposal for the large department stores along Westenhellweg. Since the 1970s, the relocation of the inner-city streetcars underground was planned as a metro line and implemented by 2000. Above-ground streetcars and cars were removed from the cityscape, leaving behind a 50m-100m wide corridor that completely cuts through the city center from west to east, but could not offer any urban development qualities. The idea of urban planning was to develop a “Boulevard Kampstraße”. However, due to its history as a logistics axis, Kampstrasse lacked all the necessary urban prerequisites for a successful boulevard from the outset. The Westenhellweg with its 1.3 km long pedestrian zone is right next door, all the stores, restaurants and cafés are oriented towards it - there was foreseeably no economic opportunity for the Boulevard Kampstraße.

Intervention!

We see this urban development crisis as an opportunity - a formidable empty space for better living spaces in the middle of the city - not a central park, but a forest with dense trees, soft soils that can absorb moisture and bind dust, shady places and open water areas, biodiversity, but above all a magical place. We propose to remove/extract an area of forest in the neighboring Sauerland with the contour of the Kampstrasse (footprint) and use it here, including the forest floor with its topography. Surface water is collected at selected points and can be experienced as small ponds. In the darkest places, “mythical creatures” await with their stories - 5m to 6m high sculptures by Ariane Koch. We call the concept Waldpelz (forest fur).

Unfortunately, the competition jury was of the opinion that it was a provocation and refused to judge the work. Unbuilt.

InfrastructureMixedPublic

Daten

Competition

1997

Address

Kampstraße - Brüderweg
44137 Dortmund

Awarding Authority

City of Dortmund

Cross-Section
Pictogram intervention
Sculpture by Ariane Koch
Sculpture by Ariane Koch
Axonometric Intervention

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City and Regional Library Dortmund

Dortmund

“Open House” a place for the urban community

With the construction of the new city and regional library, an identity-forming public building is being created in Dortmund at an important urban location: directly opposite the main railway station, at the interface between the historic city center, cultural mile and urban station district. With the new library building, this traditional site will take on a new public significance and in future will function as an open, lively house for knowledge, exchange and encounters.

Position in Urban Context

The compact, powerful building is precisely positioned in the urban context and defines a new address on the station forecourt. With its clear positioning, it strengthens the urban edge to the station and the heavily frequented Königswall and at the same time formulates an opening of the public space to the city center, an invitation to the urban society. A city loggia on the city center elevation, approx. 7m higher than the Königswall, connects the entrance and forecourt, a public space for lingering, events and informal encounters. A pond, as an open water collector, a rainwater reservoir binds dust and generates good air quality near the façade through evaporation and is thus part of a holistic building and energy concept.

Architecture + Form

The design is intended as a public building with a significant form. The compact, monolithic structure with semi-circular ends and characteristic bulleyes is both powerful and accessible. The soft contours wrap around reading spaces arranged in a spiral, always in connection with the stock docked on each floor, and promote an interplay between the exterior and interior spaces.

Holistic building and energy concept

The building is designed as a compact, resource-efficient volume. The organization of the functions follows the principle of short distances, synergies and multiple uses. Public and internal areas are logically stacked and connected by central meeting areas. Flexible spatial structures allow adaptive use to changing requirements. The compact building form minimizes the enveloping surface and thus heat loss and enables high energy efficiency. Regenerative energy systems, passive climate strategies and a high proportion of renewable and recyclable materials complete the concept. In terms of construction, the building is based on a supporting structure with reduced spans and minimized use of materials. The façade not only has a design function, but also acts as an active component in the energy concept, with integrated passive and active measures for lighting, ventilation and shading. Some of the rainwater is collected via the pond and used for irrigation and cooling the building.

An integrative urban component for Dortmund

With its urban design, its significant architectural language and a consistently implemented, resource-minimized concept, the new Dortmund City and Regional Library building will become an important public space and new urban building block. It not only offers space for knowledge and culture, but also for social and urban encounters - an open house for urban society.

HybridInfrastructureMixedPublic

Daten

Competition

1996

Address

Max-Von-Der-Grün-Platz 1-3
44137 Dortmund

Awarding Authority

DAL - Deutsche Anlagen Leasing; Stadt Dortmund

Floor plan ground floor with surroundings
Floor plans 1st - 3rd floor
Section

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Competition Cartoon Corridor

Dalian, China

The Cartoon Corridor, developed as part of a joint venture with Prof. Harald Deilmann (Münster), extends the port of the north-eastern Chinese city of Dalian to include extensive campus areas, thus creating new qualities of stay on the peninsula.

Dalian – A Continuously Growing City

With its militarily significant port documented as early as the 6th century, the region quickly gained influence as a trading city and continues to grow steadily. To make the identity of the place tangible and to continue integrating it into the evolving urban structure, the Cartoon Corridor redefines the port as a "water city" and expands the area with large spaces for a Maritime University, hotel facilities for university guests and other visitors, as well as exhibition and conference areas.

Due to the expansion of long and primarily monotonous connecting roads to develop the peninsula, there was a need to enhance the quality of stay for pedestrian traffic as well.

Urban Framework Plan

The competition entry utilizes the existing sightlines framed by existing street canyons along Huangpu Rd and develops them with a "Green Band" that accompanies the street layout, calming the area and isolating it from the eight-lane expressway. Thoughtfully placed solitaires are integrated into the emerging "water city" like large stones. This arrangement of various sightlines enhances the pedestrian experience and provides space for the diverse campus area, which stretches across the expressway with long bridges connecting the buildings.

HotelInfrastructureMixedOfficePublic

Data

Competition

2005

Address

Huangpu Rd
116086 Dalian (Ganjingzi District), Liaoning
China

Siteplan
Floorplan
View

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Dortmund Central Station

Dortmund

What could a train station look like that is not just a transit point, but a gateway to the city?

Dortmund needs a new central station. The existing station is frequented by around 130,000 visitors every day. In its existing form, it is dysfunctional and does not meet the requirements of a modern station building. A new building should also provide a convenient link between the city center and Nordstadt. As a result of the topographical conditions, a height difference of approx. 20m must be bridged. The city center is approx. 20m higher than the northern part of the city.

For this reason, we are proposing a linear station, a very wide footbridge on the city center elevation. It crosses the tracks at a height of approx. 10m. From here, all platforms can be reached directly via stairs, moving walkways or elevators. Retail and gastronomy as well as rail-related services, waiting areas, play areas and informal meeting places will be installed on this footbridge. The Ponte Vecchio in Florence could serve as a reference, but here these areas are fully covered.

The linear station ends on a generously dimensioned forecourt on the north side of the station area. Here, Vis-á-vis houses are being built for access and vertical distribution, for work, gastronomy, leisure, medical services and other services. All new structures and components are developed from basic geometric shapes. These compact buildings will become the prelude to the adjoining urban quarter. They thus play an important role in the pedestrian access to the station and the city.

GlassInfrastructureMixedPublicSteel

Daten

Address

Königswall 14
44137 Dortmund

Site Plan
Detail scheme
Southern Square
Northern Square

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BVB Stadium

Dortmund

In the course of the ongoing modernization and flexibilization of the BVB stadium, which is increasingly intended to accommodate non-sporting events, BVB is considering combining the concept of a stadium with that of a multifunctional hall. This project is the result of a feasibility study.

During the ongoing match operations, the spectator capacity is to be expanded and the stadium extended with a roof that enables it to be used as an indoor arena.

Realized in several construction phases, parts of the existing building will be linked to the new components, realized with a maximum degree of prefabrication, enabling modular joining on site and at the same time significantly reducing the construction time. In order to protect the turf when the hall is in use and at the same time ensure the regenerative growth of the grass surface, the pitch itself becomes a roof. For this purpose, a shipbuilding technology is used: hydraulic heavy-lift systems, which are installed at four points in the stadium corners, raise the pitch by 40 meters within half an hour, where it will then fulfil the function of a roof. A seven-meter-high, walk-on steel grid forms its supporting structure and contains all the lighting and acoustic installations of a hall.

In future, the stadium will offer up to 80,000 seats for open-air sporting events. For music events under a closed roof, the capacity could be increased even further thanks to the available space inside.

HybridInfrastructureMixedPublic

Daten

Address

Strobelallee 50
44137 Dortmund

Floor Plan Ground Floor
Cross-Section
Axonometric View

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Competition Suspension Railroad Kluse

Wuppertal

The Kluse suspended railroad station in Wuppertal, which was destroyed during World War II, is being rebuilt at its historic location near the Schauspielhaus theater. Since several urban pathways intersect at this point, Petersen Architects placed great emphasis on urban significance and integration in their station design.

The lower distribution level serves as an additional public space during the day, illuminated by the translucent platforms above. These platforms are made of slip-resistant, walkable glass [Litefloor].

The entire structural framework is divided into longitudinal planar structures, which are stiffened by compression pipes both at the platform level and above the tracks, as well as by cable tensioning. Each structural frame consists of a pair of cantilevered external supports, inclined in alignment with the frames of the track carriers. These supports bear the facade and are shaped according to their bending loads. Together with a story-high truss below the distribution level, they form a tensioned structural system.

In front of the single-glazed facade, perforated metal panels are hung at a distance, serving as glare and sun protection. The steel frames of these panels are mounted on sliding mechanisms and can be lowered down to the access level to lock and secure the station, giving the structure a different appearance at night.

InfrastructurePublicSteel

Data

Competition

1991

Address

Bundesallee 248
42103 Wuppertal
Germany

Floorplan
Section

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