News

We were given the opportunity to give WDR-Lokalzeit a behind-the-scenes look at our Haus der Neugier project in Aachen. The report “Haus der Neugier – DAS ist der Plan” is now available in the ARD-Mediathek.

In the report, Dirk Lange, partner at kadawittfeldarchitektur, and Heinrich Brötz, head of the cultural department of the city of Aachen, were accompanied on a walk through the building.

The Haus der Neugier (House of Curiosity) is currently being built in the center of Aachen in the existing building of the former Horten department store. In the future, the adult education center and the library will form a joint education and meeting center in the converted building. As a “third place,” the building offers space for reading, learning, discussing, and lingering. The demolition of the existing escalators will create a light-flooded atrium with a new, free-standing staircase that connects all levels and promotes communication.

Image: ©kadawittfeldarchitektur

 

Building renovation is a key task in the transformation of the construction industry. Gerhard Wittfeld spoke at the “Bauen im Bestand” expert forum (ZÜBLIN and Neues Bauen – 80 Sekunden) in his keynote address “New life in existing buildings – conversion concepts in practice” about approaches and experiences from current projects. The focus was on the Central Cross project in Cologne, which shows how existing structures can be developed in a sustainable manner with respectful treatment and high-quality design. Around 70% of the existing building will be preserved and renovated. Preserving the reinforced concrete in the existing structure will save around 2030 tons of CO₂ emissions. This illustrates the potential of continuing to build rather than constructing new buildings – ecologically, economically, and in terms of design.

Image: ©Neues Bauen – 80 Sekunden