Commercial building Ostwall - Petersstraße Krefeld
AWARDING AUTHORITY
Krefelder Bau GmbH
PROGRAM
Shops, business, gastronomy, offices, doctor's offices, apartments
GFA 6,650 sqm
RESULTS
1st Prize, Restricted architectural competition with application process by RAW
ARGE Rohdecan Architects, DGM Architects
2014
The new commercial building shall be erected in a centrally located area of Krefeld’s historic town centre. The plot spans East-West between the big boulevard of Ostwall and Petersstraße and includes the block’s southwestern corner. A mix of retail, gastronomy, offices, service facilities and urban housing shall vitalise the new building complex and hence the whole quarter.
Recompleting the downtown block and creating a connection between boulevard and Petersstraße are the major aspects in strengthening the location’s urban appearance. Heights and roof shapes are developed according to the respective situation and a distinct building marks the corner situation at the crossing with Linner Straße. Arcades lead pedestrians from that corner to the new bypass leading through the block. Beneath a wooden pergola, the new passage way is providing space for merchants, little shops, cafés and bars, which are creating a colourful and lively urban atmosphere. At a later time, the courtyard market theme can be extended to the southern neighbourhood.
Trough its robust and flexible organisation and the quality of its architectural appearance, the new building provides impetus for the further development of the quarter while serving as a reliable framework. The central position of staircases and the subterranean connection of all building parts allow for flexible floor plan solutions and reply the changing needs of tenants. Low building depths provide for generous natural lighting and ventilation.
In contrast to the exposing gestures of neighboured Behnischhaus and the heterogeneity of the buildings at Ostwall, the new buildings’ façades vary on a common grid basis and hence create an elegant aura and urban presence. The range of materials includes bright sand stone, bronze coloured aluminium windows and delicately perforated steel panels for the night cooling.
Recompleting the downtown block and creating a connection between boulevard and Petersstraße are the major aspects in strengthening the location’s urban appearance. Heights and roof shapes are developed according to the respective situation and a distinct building marks the corner situation at the crossing with Linner Straße. Arcades lead pedestrians from that corner to the new bypass leading through the block. Beneath a wooden pergola, the new passage way is providing space for merchants, little shops, cafés and bars, which are creating a colourful and lively urban atmosphere. At a later time, the courtyard market theme can be extended to the southern neighbourhood.
Trough its robust and flexible organisation and the quality of its architectural appearance, the new building provides impetus for the further development of the quarter while serving as a reliable framework. The central position of staircases and the subterranean connection of all building parts allow for flexible floor plan solutions and reply the changing needs of tenants. Low building depths provide for generous natural lighting and ventilation.
In contrast to the exposing gestures of neighboured Behnischhaus and the heterogeneity of the buildings at Ostwall, the new buildings’ façades vary on a common grid basis and hence create an elegant aura and urban presence. The range of materials includes bright sand stone, bronze coloured aluminium windows and delicately perforated steel panels for the night cooling.
