Where old meets new
A hybrid approach to village community spaces
The existing village community centre, along with its unused adjacent buildings, could no longer meet the demands of modern civic life. The vision was clear: a single central hub where clubs from all four districts could hold their events. Demolish or rebuild? That was the central question CCM Architects tackled after winning the design competition, evaluating multiple solutions before arriving at their answer.
The winning strategy was a "hybrid solution." The approach preserved the existing buildings through comprehensive renovation: the original event hall was demolished and reconstructed as a timber-framed structure with three-hinged arches, while systems, surfaces, and insulation were modernized throughout. The new linoleum-floored hall captivates with its frameless glazing and fully glazed gable wall, featuring seamless threshold-free access. A connecting pavilion houses the main and secondary entrances and kitchen access, bridging old and new. The design draws inspiration from the region's vernacular barn architecture but reinterprets it for today—clean lines, shallow clay tiles, expansive glazing with views to nature. Large glass surfaces, acoustic treatment, and flexible spaces (including a full catering kitchen) now accommodate diverse gatherings and community activities. The reinforced original masonry building, more deliberately enclosed, provides storage and facilities. The landscape has been thoughtfully redesigned to embrace the existing stream. A heat pump system heats the complex, with peak demands managed by a gas boiler and onsite photovoltaic array.
Beyond its function, this project elevates the public realm: demolishing the disused structures between the main street and community centre created space for a newly designed market square with parking. Equally important, the work established a clear visual and physical link from the highway to the building's main entrance, reconnecting the community to its civic heart.
Photos:
Jörg Hempel
www.joerg-hempel.com
(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 01|24)
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