Böll Architekten GmbH

Community Centre Altenessen

Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer

COMMUNITY CENTRE ALTENESSEN

Heinrich Böll Architekt

PHOTOGRAPHS
Thomas Mayer

AREA
970.0 m2

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Essen, Germany

CATEGORY
Community Center

Text description provided by architect.

Our architectural concept interprets the new center as a place of community. Central space of the new building is a courtyard which is framed on three sides, which opens to the south, and hence formulates an inviting gesture.

Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer

The slight twisting of the floor plan from the given order refers to the church and opens a dialogue with the spiritual gathering place of the congregation.

The clear shape of the floor plan and the sculptural roof landscape makes the community center a strong solitaire in the wide urban space of the Mallinckrodtplatz.

Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer

It uses the stage given to demonstrate its importance in the urban realm as place of community next to its large neighbours the church and the hospital.

The outer facade is made of brick referring to the neighbouring church. The inner facade fronting the courtyard is transparent, made of glass and structured by several doors allowing an easy transition between indoor and outdoor in the summer.

Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer

The corridors are oriented towards the courtyard hence appear open and light. The coming and going, the entrance and exiting through the courtyard and the corridors allows communication and encounter.

The three wings of the building host three different uses: the eastern wing hosts the youth area, the northern wing the gathering spaces, and the western wing the office and the charity shop. The layout of the different spaces along the ground floor makes the house barrier free in all areas.

Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer


Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer
Community Centre Altenessen
© Thomas Mayer


Community Centre Altenessen
South Elevation
Community Centre Altenessen
Section


Community Centre Altenessen
Site Plan
Community Centre Altenessen
Floor Plan

Böll Architekten GmbH
T +49 201 836380 F +49 201 8363870
Böll Architekten GmbH
Max-Fiedler-Str. 6, 45128 Essen, Germany