Originally built in the early 1950s, the Evangelical University of Applied Sciences Rhineland-Westphalia-Lippe in Bochum recently underwent an extensive modernization while remaining fully operational. Completed in June 2024, the year-long project encompassed energy upgrades—including thermal insulation of the façade, windows, and roof—alongside a comprehensive redesign of the entrance and foyer. The team also installed an electronic wayfinding system in the entrance area. Vervoorts & Schindler Architects approached the work with restraint, carefully preserving the building's striking stained-glass windows while introducing warm, inviting touches through the use of oak wood in the entrance hall, creating an atmosphere that welcomes visitors immediately upon arrival.

Breathing new life into existing structures presents unique challenges—and sometimes practical constraints that shape creative solutions. The architects envisioned green roofs for both the entrance hall and auditorium, but structural limitations ruled out the latter; instead, they gave the auditorium roof a comprehensive overhaul. To emphasize the auditorium's significance, they introduced a refined yet distinctive façade treatment: a curtain wall system of vertically arranged, individually folded trapezoidal metal sheets finished in golden anodize—matching the library extension's vertical slats. The iconic stained-glass windows were carefully preserved and thermally upgraded with a new mullion-transom system featuring outward-opening windows, complemented by a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. A steel staircase—finished to blend seamlessly with the façade—serves as the secondary escape route. Throughout, existing materials and colors—fiber cement panels, gray aluminum windows—were harmonized with new elements, creating visual continuity. Upon arrival, visitors encounter warmth: deep green walls paired with a complementary green-gray linoleum floor set the tone. The entrance hall's showstopper is a series of custom oak seating elements designed by the architects, featuring integrated planters that nestle into the window reveals with organic, sculptural forms. Supporting this vision, the team also created matching storage solutions for waste management and information displays. Wall surfaces echo the furniture's approach with rounded edges and thoughtful niches for the wayfinding system. Beyond the entrance, the architects refreshed secondary spaces and restrooms, while completely transforming the basement activity room—now outfitted with a sports floor, acoustically sound walls, and fresh ceilings—into a vibrant hub that draws regular use.

www.vs-architekten.de

Photos: Oliver Noeske

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|24)