proposal project “dritter Ort”

a meeting point for culture
2024
Pulheim, Germany

Project concept and objective
Projektkonzept auf deutsch.pdf

The aim of this proposal project is to create a „dritter Ort“ as a meeting point for culture, education and encounters in rural areas. The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW.

Main features of the preliminary design:

1. connection to the library: the „dritter Ort“ is to be connected directly to the existing library. To this end, the unused top floor of the library will be converted and made accessible for various uses. At the same time, the library rooms will be modernized and upgraded in terms of energy efficiency. The old oil heating system will be replaced by an environmentally friendly geothermal heat pump.

2. new location for the parish office: The parish office is to be located directly next to St. Martinus Church and integrated into the project. Two apartments are also planned.

3. redesign of the church square: During the planning process, it was determined that the church square and the layout of the library are not very appealing. The design therefore envisages extending the street-side building along the main street by an additional floor and a glazed first floor area. This will create a third location on the first floor, while one or two apartments will be located on the upper floor. The glazed area provides a visual connection to the church portal and creates an open atmosphere.

4. new access and orientation: The main entrance to the library will be relocated to the church square so that both the library and the third location are oriented towards the newly designed square. This reorientation gives the square a more welcoming feel and creates space for encounters.

5. flexible use: the third location and the library remain independent units, but can be linked together if necessary to create flexible usage options.

6. rental apartments to support maintenance costs: The entrance on Hauptstrasse provides access to the apartments, the new parish office and administrative units on the second floor from Hauptstrasse. Two additional residential units above the third location will be offered for rent in order to support the maintenance costs for the library and the third location with the rental income. An external staircase to the church serves as a second escape route and also provides access to the administration rooms on the second floor.

This preliminary design makes a significant contribution to improving the urban development situation and the church square and creates a lively meeting place.
It offers new living space, strengthens the local community and expands the cultural and social offerings.

Apartment remodelling
2022-2023
Cologne, Germany

The remodelling of an apartment in the southern part of Cologne was commissioned and carried out in close collaboration with the architects from kuh.architekten.

From 2022 to 2023, the originally 110 m² apartment on the 5th floor was transformed into two furnished apartments.

The Access to the two apartments was provided through an entrance area, facilitating the shared use of a washing machine, dryer, and cleaning supplies cabinet.

For each of the two apartments, a small bathroom and a mini kitchen were installed, constructed with double-panel plates.

The entire renovation works were completed in December 2023.

Reconstruction, extension Top floor
2020-2023
Cologne, Germany

In 2003, my grandparents house was destroyed by a fire.
The following year, in 2004, a building permit was applied for and granted.

The construction project involved an extension of the building towards the garden and its division into 3 separate residential units.

The ground floor apartment was designed to be barrier-free and was occupied by my grandmother until her passing.
A small studio apartment with terrace in the basement was intended for a caregiver. The roof space remained unused at that time.

After my grandmother's death in 2020, the apartment on the upper floor and the attic were gutted and largely renovated through self-effort.
Today, the building can be used as a multi-generational home.

Transformation retail space
historical monument
2016-2017
Cologne, Germany

The apartment building was build up around 1905 in Cologne is listed as a protected historical monument.
"The stucco facade is architecturally remarkable for Cologne, as it combines elements of Rococo and early Classicism, including pilasters, herms, relief-decorated balustrades in the Renaissance style, as well as shell motifs on the bay window."

In 2016, in collaboration with heritage conservation authorities, the ground floor facade and the left retail space underwent renovation and remodeling.
The facade cladding panels from the 1980s, which covered the entire ground floor facade, were completely removed.
Today, it is used as a cosmetics studio.
The right retail space has not yet been renovated or remodeled; only the windows and facade elements have been addressed so far.

Renovated and transformation
of a residential building
2005-2009
Luberon, France

The residential building acquired in 2002 dates back to the 1950s.
During this period, only the upper floor, comprising approximately
50 m², was inhabited. Significant works were undertaken to renovate the building exterior and reconfigure the interior.
The ground floor served as a garage, while the garden featured a covered terrace and a storage room with a headroom of around 1.60 meters.

The garage at the ground floor could be used as little studio apartment or as office.
At the garden level there is a double-height living eating room and the kitchen.
The accordion doors can be fully opened to the little garden.
The upper floor is intended for the kids, under the roof for the parents.

The aim was to enlarge the living space and fully utilize the entire building volume. Simultaneously, the entire house was to be upgraded and optimized for energy efficiency.

The renovation works were carried out by the owner and the building remained occupied throughout the entire process.