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The fundamental question was how to transform a listed military building into an open place of civilian jurisdiction, while at the same time preserving its structural character. The building also offered great potential for new use in terms of spatial organisation and load-bearing structure: the approximately 37 m long, 16 m wide, three-storey building is based on a functional reinforced concrete skeleton that allows great flexibility in the subdivision of space, as does the access through the staircases at both ends.
The listed chamber building of the former Thiepval barracks was converted into a modern, open district court. The project is located near the main railway station and is part of an urban ensemble with a diverse history. The unusual architecture of the historic main construction from 1875 with its Italian fortress style features forms an interesting contrast to the simpler chamber building from 1907. After being used for civilian purposes since 1980, it was decided to convert the chamber building into the new seat of the district court. The architects created a light-flooded court that combines past and present and blends harmoniously into the urban context. The transformation of the structure revitalizes the surrounding area and continues the history of the location.
We have converted a historically significant building into a new use in an exemplary manner and created a contemporary, open house - this demonstrates the potential of the existing building fabric in terms of sustainability and resource conservation.
Big See Awards 2024
Hugo-Häring-Auszeichnung 2023
World Design Awards 2023
International Architecture Awards 2023
International Architecture & Design Awards 2023 - Gold
Architekturpreis Beton 2023
Architizer A+A Awards 2023
Best Workspaces Award 2023
C-IDEA DESIGN AWARD 2022
BLT Build Design Award 2022
Architecture Maserprize 2022
Iconic Award 2022
The 1907 state-owned chamber building was converted by Dannien Roller + Architekten between 2018 and 2021, in a balancing act between military construction and the modern requirements of a place of jurisdiction. As a sign of the new identity, the timelessly elegant Mahlau lettering “Amtsgericht” floats above the entrance and enter into a congenial synthesis with the architecture as both a carrier of information and an external ornament. Due to its use as a vehicle hall, the fabric of the building had been severely damaged, which made it necessary to replace the ceiling above the ground floor with extensive support measures. The former garage doors to the rear were opened up to allow light into the courtrooms. Reminiscent of the wooden gates, the glass panes are staggered in terms of their depth, lending the façade a moving pictorial quality. The foyer, with its skilfully placed sparse accents, reflects the dignity of the court. The inserted reinforced concrete ceiling, which is attached to the expression of the removed ceiling, is visible in places as a construction. Roughly plastered walls and the sanded, exposed screed contrast harmoniously with the oak wood of the furnishings, while asymmetrical reinforced concrete columns pick up dynamically on the brittle nature of the earlier functional building. The careful confrontation of the original and the contemporary enabled the functional transformation into an atmosphere of respect for a place steeped in history.
The successful combination of historical dignity and modern elements creates a harmonious atmosphere. The bright and warm design, the well thought-out lighting concept and the use of high-quality materials emphasize the architectural details of the building. The barrier-free design, the spacious foyer and the inviting atmosphere make working and spending time in the district court a pleasant experience. A successful project that beautifully accentuates the architecture of the building.
Architecture is not objective, but influenced by processes, requirements, budgets and cultural-spatial conditions. Our early cooperation with the client – as early as the task development stage – creates a qualitative coherence between the construction project, urban integration, space, form and material. This not only creates an unmistakable building culture, but also a high level of recognition. Our focus is on the workplace: the place where we spend most of our lives awake. Although we live in a world that is becoming more and more mobile from day to day, administration and production, research and teaching, education and training, and work, are linked to physical places. This topos requires both material and emotional criteria, to which we respond creatively, innovatively and with outstanding design quality.
