New Campus Center and two Research Halls for the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Mönchengladbach Campus , Mönchengladbach/ Deutschland

PRESS INFORMATION BY ATELIER KEMPE THILL 05.10.2022

A NEW CAMPUS CENTER AND TWO RESEARCH HALLS BY ATELIER KEMPE THILL
FOR THE NIEDERRHEIN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, MÖNCHENGLADBACH CAMPUS, DE

DEVELOPING FURTHER THE INDUSTRIAL TRADITION
The Mönchengladbach campus of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences is characterized by its industrial brick buildings from the early 20th century. These buildings expressed with their pleasant tectonic character the pride of the textile industry. Characterized by a refined and robust materiality, they stand clearly in the urban landscape and are the visible Industrial heritage witnesses. The new development is an opportunity to strengthen the existing ensemble of buildings as a whole, and to enhance the visibility and spatial impact of the campus. In this proposal all new and added buildings are designed with high-quality brick facades, which harmonize as much as possible with the existing buildings in terms of scale and material quality. The new architecture with its constructive and restrained character will not compete visually with the valuable historical monuments while it continues the industrial tradition of the campus.

NEW CAMPUS CENTER
The project offers the opportunity to give the campus a real spatial center and to improve the interaction between the various users. The historical building block will have a new car-free campus center. This quieter and greener space subtly smooths out the existing elevation differences and connects the various buildings of the university via a network of paths. Characterized by grasslands and individual trees, this open central space forms a green oasis that invites visitors to linger and use it actively. The new building as well as the converted industrial monument hall are deliberately oriented towards this central space. Both buildings can be accessed through the campus center.

„WINDOWS ON RESEARCH“
The finish of the new building for textile fits carefully to the profile of the street Rheydterstrasse. Perception wise it oscillates between perimeter block development and robust industrial single object, and matches the character of the rest of the campus development. The large windows on the ground floor open up the industrial building on the street and reveal the impressive research activities inside to everyone who passes by. Thus the building becomes a communication showcase for the university. The ambitious sustainable goals are met by realizing the new building in solid wood construction whenever it is possible. The targeted energy achievements corresponds to the BEG 40 standard. The facades will be made of locally sourced recycled bricks, reducing further the CO-2 emissions of the building project.

STAGING OF A HISTORIC INDUSTRIAL HALL
The reconstruction of the existing hall aims to find a balance between the conservation of the impressive industrial monument while improving its functional and energetic aspects. A clear design of the building in zones is meant to maximize the experience of the existing hall with its powerful shed roofs and to offer an inspiring atmosphere for teaching and research. On its north side, the building will also receive a new facade with large windows opening on the green campus center.

DATAS:
The project is the result of a winning negotiated bid from 2020.

ARCHITECTS:
Atelier Kempe Thill architects and planners, Rotterdam.
Thörner Kaczmarek architects, Düsseldorf
(Atelier Kempe Thill Thörner Kaczmarek Generalplanungsgesellschaft)

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:
BBZ Landschaftsarchitekten Berlin

CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS:
Bau- und Liegenschaftsamt Nordrhein-Westfalen
BLB NRW Duisburg

LOCATION:
FH Niederrhein, Campus Mönchengladbach, Rheydter Straße

PLANNING:
Planning: 2021 - 2024
Execution: 2024 - 2028

2021-2026

RENDERINGS:
Sugarvisuals