Folkwang University of the Arts | Campus Zollverein World Heritage Site | North Quarter Integration into the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site

Exterior design for the new building of the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, taking into account higher-level planning objectives.

The Folkwang University of the Arts is located on the site of the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein. The building is the new location for the entire design department of the Folkwang University of Music, Theatre, Dance, Design and Science. The design idea was based on overriding development goals and existing overall planning concepts: the open spaces were to be integrated into the design and furnishings of the Zollverein Park. The aim was, among other things, to "emphasise the architectural ensemble", "restraint in the landscape architecture" and "preservation of the industrial origin".

The design of the open spaces picks up on the clear geometric and at the same time variable formal language of the architecture and the basic design principles of the higher-level plans (e.g. of the Zollverein Park).

The plan area has different spatial focal points: The campus is formed by the areas in the north with the open space in front of the entrance to the cafeteria and in the south by the area of the main entrance in the transition to the "Neue Mitte" of the Design Stadt.

In addition, there are the functional areas of the campus such as the delivery zone, parking spaces for cars and bicycles and the extension of Martin-Kremmer-Strasse. The street extension is set off from the original street in terms of materiality and can be seen as an extended campus in the transition to the "New Center" of the Design City.

West of the campus is the area for the protection and stabilization of the natterjack toad population. This is implemented in accordance with the required habitat qualities as an open land area with raw soil/gravel areas and shallow small water bodies.

The different areas are connected by a uniform pavement carpet of light grey stripes and anthracite bands. The light grey stripes become denser in the area of the main entrance in the transition to the "Neue Mitte". In this way, the open spaces are based on the overall concept of the Zollverein Park in terms of their materiality and furnishings.