The medical center at Phoenixsee in Dortmund-Hörde was completed in 2021. The prestigious building is easily accessible in the central area of the harbor district on the southern shore of Lake Phoenix. The architects from archwerk in Herford designed the building, which has a monolithic appearance thanks to the clever choice of materials and colors.

The four-storey building with its staggered storey set back from the street appears friendly and inviting thanks to its bright metal façade and floor-to-ceiling windows. As the entire southern area, on which the approximately 4,000 m² site is located, has a steep topography, the building was virtually pushed into the terrain. As a result, the first floor is accessed at ground level and benefits from natural light, while subordinate rooms such as the technical rooms and the underground car park with 26 parking spaces are located at the rear below the ground level. The façade, which is initially characterized by a strict division, partially breaks this up and thus loosens up the overall appearance. Parts of the façade jump back and forth in a playful manner and the slanted façade parts in the reveal give the building additional plasticity and depth.

However, the architects did not just focus on aesthetics and functionality. A high degree of flexibility, a low-maintenance façade, durable materials and a high degree of repetition are conducive to an economical construction method. The largely column-free usable areas were in turn a challenge for the statics.

The building is accessed via two stairwells arranged on either side. There is an elevator in the middle. Each floor is barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible. Anyone wishing to visit the pharmacy, one of the surgeries, the therapists or the intensive care unit on the upper floor first enters a spacious and clearly laid out entrance foyer. Here, the friendly impression that characterizes the exterior continues seamlessly. Lots of natural light, which also floods the upper floors with light thanks to an atrium, warm wood on the walls, light stone floors and glass balustrades characterize the overall picture. The interior rooms also receive natural light in this way.

www.archwerk.biz

Photos:

Laura Thiesbrummel
www.laurathiesbrummel.com

(Published in CUBE Ruhr Area 03|22)