The residential complex, with its elegant brick façade, occupies a prominent location in Herne. The corner building commands attention from a distance, rising across from Herne's main railway station on its approximately 1,000 m² site. The architects at Kleihues + Kleihues (Berlin/Münster) designed and realized this apartment building, earning the firm the prestigious BDA Architecture Prize Bochum 2023 for their work.

This striking, high-quality structure distinguishes itself through its masterful use of materials—indeed, it deserves recognition as the city's new gateway. The stepped massing respectfully echoes the neighboring buildings' heights while introducing visual coherence to what was once a fragmented streetscape. Through its brick façade, the architects honor the Ruhr region's rich architectural heritage. The base employs a traditional block bond pattern, alternating header and stretcher courses with the latter recessed 2.5 centimeters for subtle relief. The clinker bricks—wrapping the loggias and balconies and extending into the interior—lend the building its powerful, substantial presence. Notably, the architects have treated the courtyard elevation with equal care as the street-facing side: this is a residence without a "back," equally inviting from all perspectives. Across eight stories, 36 apartments range from 61 to 102 m², thoughtfully adapted for universal accessibility and senior living. Options include two, two-and-a-half, three, three-and-a-half, and generously proportioned four-room units. Every apartment features either a balcony or terrace and is finished with oak parquet flooring. Large wood-aluminum windows flood the spaces with natural light. The entrance hall reveals the architects' meticulous attention to detail: curved corners and precisely angled clinker brickwork create an inviting threshold. An oak door with brass-finished hardware reinforces the refined aesthetic. The stairwell features Anröchter natural stone, complemented by lacquered flat steel railings with oak handrails and a bespoke oak letterbox system with mirrored inserts. The overall composition achieves remarkable harmony throughout. Sustainability credentials are equally impressive: the project holds DGNB Silver certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB e.V.).

www.kleihues.com

Photography Credits:

Alexander Ludwig Obst & Marion Schmieding

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 01|24)