St. Marienstift

Bochum

The St. Marienstift nursing home was established next to the Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church) in downtown Bochum. The original Wilhelminian-style building was severely damaged during the war, later temporarily repaired, and remained in this state until the 2000s. The spatial conditions were extremely limited, and the structure of the building was unsuitable for modern care concepts. A new building became necessary. After IG Metall vacated the neighboring building to move to a new location, the new construction became possible. The IG Metall building was converted into a temporary nursing home, the old St. Marienstift building was demolished, and a new facility was erected.

This allowed the central location to be preserved. The new building offers 85 single rooms with barrier-free bathrooms. Residents, staff, the presbytery, and management were all deeply involved in the planning process. Residents were able to choose the wall colors of their rooms and participate in designing the communal areas. The rooms are divided into nine residential groups with shared living kitchens, each connected to balconies or rooftop terraces.

Near the main entrance on the ground floor is the chapel, which is available to the community for worship services on weekends. Some windows from the now deconsecrated Marienkirche were incorporated as wall coverings in the chapel. The former church bell hangs in a new tower next to the rooftop terrace. In an open café with a terrace and garden, residents and visitors can meet and socialize.

Public

Data

Completion

2008

Address

Humboldtstraße 46
44787 Bochum

Client

ST. MARIENSTIFT E.V.

Villa Moritz

Bochum

"As much independence as possible - as much help as needed" is the motto under which tenants will experience the new housing model for individuals with dementia.

The community living arrangement allows a person with dementia to maintain a high degree of independence while accessing all forms of outpatient care and support (optional services). The building is equipped to meet care needs. Each floor is accessible by elevator, and rooms and bathrooms are designed to be barrier-free.

There is an option to live together in a small, family-like group. Each resident has access to communal kitchens and living rooms. In these spaces, there is the opportunity to organize daily life together, cook together, and pursue hobbies. This family-style living arrangement is particularly suited for individuals seeking closer contact with others.

On the ground floor, there are two wheelchair-accessible apartments of 28 square meters each, and four additional apartments on the two upper floors, all of which have their own barrier-free equipped shower rooms. Residents can furnish their private spaces according to their personal taste.

On the ground floor, a community area of about 100 square meters with a living kitchen serves as the center. This space creates an environment that supports activities for residents and interaction with family members, caregivers, and service partners. The spacious garden can be accessed through the living kitchen. The design of the garden is intended to be open and cater to the interests of the residents (kitchen garden, hedges, and seating areas).

Living

Data

Completion

2005

Address

Moritzstraße 11
44807 Bochum

Client

Bochumer Wohnstätten Genossenschaft eG

Olpe 39

Dortmund

The district at the Ostwallmuseum, in its current form, emerged at the beginning of the 20th century within the historic city wall ring. Since then, it has been characterized by residential space mixed intensively with small retail areas. This allowed a suburban environment to develop immediately adjacent to the city center, which gained regional significance primarily due to its gastronomic diversity from the 1960s to the 1990s.

At this inner-city location, the lifespan of a building is determined by its ability to flexibly respond to changing uses and requirements.

With this in mind, "Olpe 39" is based on the concept of storage (storage system/virtual storage/stacked urban space).

The facade translates this idea into a "Macro-Chip": it signals different synapses in the form of differentiated glass panels, which are either transparent or translucent. The interior-exterior visual relationship is focused through translucent facade sections—the external space, park, and trees shape the view outside and are integrated into the building's interior. They fill the view (unobstructed by facade profiles, safety barriers, ventilation flaps, or radiators). The view remains unobstructed.

Concrete Glass Living Office

Data

Completion

2002

Address

Olpe 39
44135 Dortmund

Client

HBP Grundstücksverwaltung GbR mbH Dortmund

Residential Building Van-Galen-Straße

Marl

Marl in Westphalia is a young city. Its growth primarily prospered due to the development of the Hüls chemical works—now Chemiepark Hüls, among others including Evonik Degussa. In particular, the 1970s saw internationally recognized architectural landmarks with high experimental potential: the Town Hall and Art Gallery (Bakema), the New City Marl (Kleihues), and the Hügelhaus (Hermann Schröder/Peter Faller).

Here, at the inner edge of the city center, along Von-Galen-Strasse, are simple residential buildings from the 1940s—ribbon structures (9x30 m), two stories with a load-bearing central longitudinal wall and a gently pitched gable roof without an attic. The technical infrastructure and the building envelopes need to be completely renewed. A detailed analysis of the planned measures revealed high budgets for renovation without improving living quality. Therefore, we propose removing the existing buildings and replacing them with new ones. If the new constructions are built as modular structures, for example using prefabricated concrete components, it would be possible to create flexible, usage-neutral floor plans at no additional cost compared to renovation measures.

The new buildings are being constructed on the same site to preserve the valuable tree stock on the properties. They are elevated by half a story, providing parking space for 6 cars and 15 bicycles. Above-ground parking facilities become obsolete and can be used for additional construction in the future. The floor plan orientation follows solar exposure: all living areas are oriented towards the west, while the east side is consistently closed. This prevents mutual visibility into private spaces and assigns garden areas exclusively to individual buildings. The building height is aligned with the surrounding construction and will be 2.5 stories. After the completion of the first construction phase, seven existing buildings (approximately 2,725 m² of living space) were replaced by eight new buildings (approximately 3,820 m² of usable space). In the second construction phase, seven square, single-story, stilted point houses (cars, bicycles, and waste management are located below the building at ground level) with approximately 850 m² of usable space (GRZ 0.2, GFZ 0.66) will replace former car parking spaces.

Systematics

The floor plans are based on a layering of building components and functions. The depth of the apartments does not exceed 7.5 meters. Concrete pillars with longitudinal beams are located directly behind the facade plane. Concrete hollow-core slabs span across both longitudinal axes. All components are prefabricated. Three installation shafts at strategically advantageous positions complete the solid skeleton.

The facades are hung in front of the structure—the east sides are closed, while the west sides are fully opened, allowing each room direct access to the balconies. This creates gardens that are exclusively assigned to individual buildings and are not visible from external vantage points. Waste management, private parking spaces directly associated with the apartments, technical and storage rooms, as well as laundry and drying rooms are located beneath the stilted houses. Each building contains 6 apartments with approximately 480 m² of rental space. The staircases flank the houses on the east side and are connected to the garage and public pathways. The apartments are variable, with movable walls, and flexible sizes. Each unit can be modified in 15-square-meter increments—building technology and separate meter reading provisions support this. The apartments are offered as "floor units," with actual floor plans customizable in collaboration with the tenants. Lofts with standard sanitary facilities are rented at minimal prices. Additional building elements (walls, doors, etc.) increase the base rent.

The roof is double-layered and consists of curved BSH beams, trapezoidal sheet metal, mineral insulation with ventilation, and a silver KalZip exterior skin. The high reflectivity and ventilation result in low heat absorption of the structure and minimal temperature fluctuations within the usable areas. The closed roof and facade surfaces merge seamlessly—“smooth building”—creating a volume that integrates smoothly with the existing vegetation. The gable sides are clad with large wooden panels. Underneath, there is also a double-layered construction with ventilation. The window surfaces continue the aluminum skin (KalZip).

An option is to provide as much variability as possible in floor plans and building technology. All future changes can be made by the client's technical staff.

Concrete Living Steel

Data

Completion

2001

Address

Von-Galen-Straße 1-15
45768 Marl
Germany

Client

Ruhr-Lippe-Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbH, Dortmund

Janke Robotics Technologies

Düsseldorf

On the northern edge of the Düsseldorf/Cologne metropolitan area, near the international Düsseldorf Airport, the administrative and manufacturing building for Janke Roboterbau Technologien was constructed. The building was completed and put into operation in 2001. Janke is a rapidly expanding company in the field of robotics for foundries.

The functional structure of the building consists of an experimental hall, where various test configurations can be set up and operated, and an engineering and administrative section. Our goal was to create a very compact building that would facilitate short distances between the executing technology and planning. Additionally, the building footprint was to be minimized. The design also aimed to allow for a future expansion to double the building size with minimal disruption.

The structural framework is made from prefabricated reinforced concrete elements. The facades are extensively glazed to optimize natural lighting for all work areas. The sharply pitched roof of the administrative section drains onto the green roof of the experimental hall; from there, the water evaporates rather than being directed into the drainage system.

Concrete Office

Data

Completion

2001

Address

Borsigstraße 1
40880 Ratingen
Germany

Client

L. Janke GmbH

Residential building Max-Eyth-Straße

Dortmund

A striking feature of the property is its remarkable collection of trees. This vegetation originated from the creation of a park-like garden on the site and was mapped and assessed a few years ago. Alongside shrubs, ornamental plants, and spontaneous vegetation, the site also contains beeches, copper beeches, and plane trees with trunk circumferences of up to 3.6 meters. The trees and outdoor areas have not been maintained in recent decades, resulting in a dense, forest-like vegetation.

The current state does not reflect the more open character of the surrounding area, which is defined by expansive avenues with central green spaces and smaller clusters of trees. Our goal is to restore this more open image and create a harmonious neighborhood. To achieve this, we will remove some of the existing trees and establish a balanced relationship between the new buildings and the remaining tree population. This will result in a small cluster of buildings set within mature landscaped areas.

Orientation

The position and orientation of the buildings align with a sustainable use of the properties. Both solar gains through passive and active systems (solar thermal, geothermal, photovoltaics, component activation, etc.) and private outdoor spaces oriented towards the sun (south and west) are possible.

Apartments

The buildings will be designed with flexible floor plan structures (loft). The load-bearing structure and shafts are located in the exterior or core walls. The spaces remain freely customizable (gypsum board, wood, metal, plastic, textile, etc.). All units are accessible without barriers. The sizes range from 85 to 135 square meters, with larger units available depending on the concept.

Living

Data

Study

2017

Address

Max-Eyth-Strasse 4a
44141 Dortmund
Germany

Client

alstria office REIT-AG

Partner

TGA:
Janowski & Co, Berlin,
Brandschutz:
Neumann Krex & Partner, Meschede
Tragwerk:
Dipl.-Ing. Uwe Horn, Leipzig

Residential Development And Redensification Bergkamen

Bergkamen

Bergkamen is an artificial settlement. It followed the mining industry northward, was initiated by it, and grew along with it. There is no traditional town center. The economic hub, characterized by high density, dates back to the 1970s but remains unfinished to this day. Most of today’s residents do not work in the mining industry, and the city is attempting to develop a tourist profile by restructuring abandoned industrial sites along the canal (marina, restaurants, leisure businesses, etc.) and to attract innovative industries. With its residential areas bordering directly on open landscapes, Bergkamen is an attractive place to live for commuters working in the Ruhr region. Property prices and living costs are low here.

One of the existing settlements from the 1960s is part of the portfolio of Ruhr-Lippe-Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH, a non-profit company that has invested significant resources in renovating the current properties both in terms of energy efficiency and structure (raising buildings due to subsidence from mining damage). The plot sizes are generously dimensioned, with large distances between houses. We propose a densification of the existing area that takes into account the specific spatial situations. As a result, a family of buildings will grow, including three-story point houses, two-story apartment buildings, and single-story rows with maisonette apartments. All of these will have direct exterior access to shared garden spaces and private loggias (top floor), balconies (upper floor), or terraces (ground floor).

New buildings will be constructed as prefabricated composite structures made of wood and reinforced concrete elements, with neutral floor plans that offer a high degree of flexibility. The buildings will not have basements. The existing trees on the plots will be preserved. Above-ground parking areas will be consolidated at several central locations. The orientation of the floor plans follows the sunlight: all living spaces are oriented to the south, while utility, auxiliary, or bedrooms are located on the north side.

Systematics

The floor plans are based on a layering of building components and functions. The apartment depth is approximately 10 meters. Steel columns with steel beams run longitudinally, positioned directly behind the facade line and along the central axis. Hollow-core concrete slabs span the transverse axis. All components are prefabricated at the factory. Strategically positioned service shafts complete the solid structural framework.

The facades are hung in front of the structure, creating an interplay between closed, highly insulated elements with clapboard siding (larch) and floor-to-ceiling, operable windows. On the south side, private terraces, balconies, and loggias are incorporated, directly adjacent to the communal garden areas. Technical rooms are located centrally, with storage space, laundry, and drying rooms within each apartment. Staircases extend across the entire height of the building, functioning as semi-public spaces. The apartments are flexible, with movable walls and adaptable apartment sizes. Each unit can be modified in increments of 15 square meters—building technology and separated utility metering make this possible. Apartments are offered as "space units," with floor plans designed individually with tenants. Lofts with standard sanitary facilities are rented at minimal prices, and additional building elements (walls, doors, etc.) increase the base rent.

The barrel-shaped roof is multi-layered, consisting of curved glued laminated timber beams (BSH), a gypsum board interior lining, trapezoidal metal sheeting, mineral insulation with ventilation, and an exterior layer of silvery KalZip. The high reflectivity and ventilation result in minimal heating of the structure and low temperature fluctuations within the living spaces. The gable and longitudinal sides are constructed using the same prefabricated timber frame elements and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating the appearance of a large, homogeneous, and continuous exterior skin.

The design prioritizes maximum flexibility in floor plans and building technology. All future modifications can be carried out by the client’s technical staff.

Concrete Hybrid Living Steel Wood

Data

Completion

1999

Address

An den Stapeläckern
59192 Bergkamen
Germany

Client

Ruhr-Lippe-Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH Dortmund

Plus Endoprothetik

Marl

The new building "Plus Endoprosthetics, Medical Technology" is designed as a double-wing structure. All offices and high-quality workspaces are oriented to the north side, while all storage and laboratory spaces are situated on the south side of the building.

The three-story building block and the 1-2 story hall are presented as a cohesive unit. They share a central main access point and create a compact exterior appearance. The halls have a cubic shape, and this favorable ratio between surface area and volume ensures a good energy balance.

The primary structure of the building block consists of steel/wood composite walls and prestressed hollow-core concrete slabs. Structural stabilization is provided by central cores. The primary structure of the hall areas is formed by steel columns, supporting glulam beams in the primary direction and trapezoidal sheets in the secondary direction. The stabilization is achieved through external diagonal braces made of round steel.

Prefabricated components made of steel, wood, and aluminum ensured a short construction time due to their high degree of prefabrication.

The facade is designed as a simple post-and-beam construction. It features double glazing and is equipped with external sun protection.

Hybrid Office Steel Wood

Data

Completion

1999

Address

Mainstraße 2
45768 Marl
Germany

Client

Plus Orthopedics AG

Ruhr-Lippe HQ Office

Dortmund

The new building complex is located on the site of the former district office in Hörde, between Wilhelm-van-Vloten-Straße to the south and Karl-Harr-Straße to the northeast.

The buildings of the "Ruhr-Lippe Project" are designed as an ensemble with a complex usage concept. The core of the program is an office building with approximately 6,800 m² of office space. This core function is accessed via a multifunctional foyer floor, which includes central information zones, exhibition spaces, and an event forum.

The site is characterized by a prominent topography that defines the urban space along its longitudinal axis, as well as by valuable, mature trees.

The terrain is accentuated by a new, single-story edge that cantilevers into the public space. This creates a platform on which the new buildings are freely arranged and connected by open spaces. The recessed ground floor leads visitors directly into the foyer of the main building. Between the different uses, an independent urban space with a high degree of recognizability is created.

Concrete Glass Office Steel

Data

Completion

1998

Address

Karl-Harr-Straße 5
44263 Dortmund
Germany

Client

Ruhr-Lippe Wohnungsgesellschaft mbH, Dortmund

FRIZ Service Centers

Dessau

Giving a young company a distinctive identity and connecting corporate identity with the genius loci was the challenge of the FRIZ service and shopping centers.

Three markets in three very different peripheral locations of East German cities, three distinct individualities forming a unique corporate identity, shaped by the architecture and the unconventional, bold "FRIZ" logo.

With minimal material usage and construction weight, the trusses effortlessly achieve large spans thanks to the use of multiple folded and cold-rolled steel sheets. Stabilized with steel cables and left unclad, supported by a few slender steel columns, they stretch over flexible and transparent retail spaces. Despite their multifunctional division into shop-in-shop units, these spaces are experienced as a continuous spatial flow.

Connections to the urban space are established through large-scale glazing and modular aluminum facades, whose surfaces feature a lively internal structure and shifting shadow relief that integrate into the sharp building silhouettes.

No repetition of banal unoriginality, no artificial postmodern camouflage, but rather a minimized and modular construction of compact building forms that translate different service offerings and local contexts into striking architectural designs.

As confident, standalone organizing elements, the FRIZ service centers inscribe themselves into the disparate, fragmented edges of the cities—so successfully that additional projects for the company's expansion and its architectural corporate identity are already in progress.

Glass Retail Steel