Bochum's 1965 corner building once symbolized modernity. Yet over the decades, its white ceramic façade and light blue clinker detailing had lost their luster—as had the plaza surrounding it. In 2019, Häusser-Bau Group, an original anchor tenant, seized the opportunity to reimagine this prominent landmark as a dynamic office and business hub. Today, it thrives as a coworking space with a startup on the ground floor. Working in close collaboration with Bochum's city planning department and the building owner, the team at Stark Design executed a comprehensive transformation—inside and out, from basement to roofline.

Thomas Stark is particularly excited about the architectural vitality now radiating from the building's corner—a design language more commonly seen in major cities like Hamburg and Berlin, but relatively rare in Bochum. "Three asymmetrically framed windows allow the building to break free from its surroundings with genuine visual tension," he notes. Floor-to-ceiling glazing floods the interior with light and creates an inviting atmosphere. The building now engages directly with the street corner, where the original canopy has been thoughtfully reinterpreted in contemporary terms. By incorporating the neighboring Südring 25 façade into the concept, the corner gained new urban presence. The main entrance—deliberately positioned to serve all floors—is openly welcoming, cleanly detailed, and subtly illuminated along the entire base level. Alucobond panels in a refined matte bronze are paired with crisp white accents across the façade. The white window frames presented the greatest technical challenge, requiring specialists to navigate complex structural and engineering considerations. Inside, the spaces are bright, open, and generously proportioned—designed specifically for modern coworking needs. Exposed concrete and integrated systems throughout reflect contemporary workplace culture. The building also meets current energy standards, accomplished within an investment of just over three million euros. For Stark, this project demonstrates the compelling case for revitalizing existing buildings—yielding benefits that are visual, ecological, and economically sound alike.

www.stark-design.net

Photography Credits:

Stark Design

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|22)