The Buxus Foundation, steward of writings, documents, and books on human rights, selected a decommissioned cemetery garden centre and its heritage-protected funeral hall at Bochum's main cemetery as the home for its new Fritz Bauer Forum. Local architecture firm planplus orchestrated the renovation and conversion across two construction phases, culminating in the building's opening in May 2025.

The garden centre and funeral hall faced significant challenges: deteriorating exposed concrete facades, missing sections of leaded glazing, an overgrown roof, and the adjoining building scarred by cracks, moisture damage, and vandalism. "Our vision was to honour the dignity of this space's former purpose while introducing a clear, contemporary design language—transforming it into a vibrant hub for civic engagement," explains architect Dietrich Kanke. The restored funeral hall now anchors the complex as its centrepiece, housing an expansive library. A striking two-storey open shelving system maximizes the available volume without compromising the room's original character. Preserving the heritage structure while enhancing its energy performance demanded meticulous craftsmanship. Working closely with heritage authorities, the team insulated interior walls above the windows and integrated radiant heating. The concrete roof was carefully cleaned, conserved, re-insulated, and waterproofed. To keep the distinctive coloured leaded glass visible, a secondary layer of high-performance glazing was installed on the interior. The former nursery building's external profile has been largely retained; its interiors have been completely reconfigured to create flexible, light-filled spaces. Exposed concrete, untreated steel, and ash wood establish a robust, welcoming aesthetic throughout. The library's light concrete facade echoes the hand-finished plaster of the main building. Inside, weathered steel and pale timber bridge contemporary function with the building's inherent industrial character. The library features polished concrete flooring, while the main structure employs tinted calcium sulphate screed sealed with matte polyurethane—a contemporary reinterpretation of the funeral hall's raw concrete aesthetic. Acoustically optimized wood fibre panels enhance the interior environment. Signature spaces include a fireplace room, café, and fully equipped cinema for events. Geothermal systems power the complex, while dedicated ventilation maintains climate control throughout.

www.planplusgmbh.de

Photography:
Richard Lensit
www.lensit.photography

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 04|25)