UPLIFT
WS/SS 23/24 / PROF. ACHIM PFEIFFER - IN COOPERATION WITH THE UMBAULABOR
TASK
Renovation of a vacant property.
PERSONAL GOAL
Exploring innovative methods for creating affordable, temporary, and space-efficient housing.
RESULT
A concept accommodating a high density of renters, providing space for an engaging and creative community.
UPLIFT is a project that emerged within the framework of the "Building in Existing Structures" course. While a significant portion of the course focused on understanding and valuing existing buildings, it eventually led to a collaboration with UMBAULABOR of BAUKULTUR-NRW. This collaboration involved experimenting with a so-called "problem property" in Gelsenkirchen, which has remained vacant since its construction in 1908.
The history of the house reveals that its upper floors were used as a residential dwelling, while the ground floor accommodated both a butcher's shop and an auto repair workshop. Typologically, it represents a typical timber-framed house, combined in part with bold steel construction, and bearing various interventions by tenants of varying craftsmanship quality.
Aside from the property's poor condition, there are additional challenges stemming from the surrounding environment, particularly within Gelsenkirchen. The city has been grappling with economic and demographic issues since the decline of mining in the region. Various EU-funded interventions aim to revitalize the city and the neighborhood where the property is situated.
Consequently, the project had to address not only the structural and aesthetic issues of the property but also the pressing social and economic problems of the city and its vicinity. From these challenges arose the idea of introducing a new form of housing, akin to functional communal living, as the typical rental model is neither economically viable nor practical in such a region.
DESIGN CONCEPT
Exaggerating the current situation of the middle, the most intriguing and valuable part of the facade, being emphasized.
HOUSING CONCEPT
Minimizing individual/private space while maximizing shared/common areas and the number of potential renters to encourage dialogue among diverse groups and strengthen community cohesion.
IMPLEMENTATION
Utilizing the facade itself to highlight the central part of the building, akin to a framed picture, and integrating the concept of functional living communities for a more efficient and sustainable way of living.
The focus of the project is on a new form of living based on the principle of functional flat-sharing communities (WG). Here, residents have a private area for sleeping, but other spaces and facilities are shared communally. A significant part of life within the building thus occurs within the community framework.
This type of flat-sharing and lifestyle represents a significantly more sustainable approach to urban living and is therefore becoming increasingly popular, particularly in metropolises such as Berlin and Munich.
The goal in handling and "honoring" the existing structure is primarily manifested in the treatment of the facade. The approach pursued is to exaggerate the existing situation. Currently, there is a contrast between the ground floor and the attic, which is emphasized to highlight the first and second floors. Here, we find the facade with the highest quality, which has remained in its original condition since the building's construction.
As part of the city's ongoing efforts, the objective is for the property to provide a space for artists where they can find studios, sports facilities, and other recreational areas.
BUILDING SIDE
The object is located in Gelsenkirchen right next to the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche.
RESULT
The layout of the building is divided according to the different floors. On the ground floor, there are typically more public uses. The living areas are found on the second and third floors, with the third floor used for communal work by the residents.
GF
1F
GF
2F
3F
STAIRS
2F
1F
3F
GF
The primary interventions on the ground floor are characterized by the integration of the front section of the building and the rear extension. Space is created here for areas that serve communal use and interaction. In the front section, a shared living area with a spacious kitchen is established, which can optionally be repurposed for more public events such as exhibitions.
To maintain flexibility in the various spaces, emphasis is placed on the use of curtains as room dividers, which also contributes to a sense of lightness in the rooms.
1F
On the first floor, the first residential unit is located, which can be found identically on the second floor.
Especially on the first floor, the design and renovation of the two-story extension is noteworthy, where a relatively spacious apartment for the property management is now located.
2F
The second floor, much like the first floor, primarily focuses on the arrangement of residential units in the front area. Here, space is provided for five tenants, with a small tea kitchen, two bathrooms, and storage areas.
The relatively small rooms encourage residents to spend more time in the public and communal spaces, enhancing the sense of community.
3F
The third floor is completely dismantled and redesigned as a sort of box in line with the concept of the ground floor as part of the renovation works, along with the attic.
This floor undergoes significant changes in use. It is divided into three flexible workspaces that can be utilized as co-working spaces.
The facade of the building is aligned with the different wall elements of the second and first floors on the ground floor and the 3rd floor. For this purpose, the boxes are formed as a manifestation of the frame around the central floors, with the windows being framed to enhance this effect.
Die originalen Holzdielen im Inneren werden freigelegt und als Bodenbelag verwendet, wodurch die Räume einen deutlich wärmeren und hochwertigeren Look erhalten.
Zusätzlich werden die Wände und Decken in einem schlichten Weißton gehalten, was das Innere des Gebäudes beruhigt, insbesondere im Vergleich zum aktuellen Zustand.
