cologne university of applied sciences - deutz campus

communicative – open – self-confident
the lecture hall center is conceived as a “university box,” in which lecture halls and open areas, the “common grounds,” are embedded in a fluid sequence. the building serves as the central point of approach at the entry plaza, representing the open, contemporary spirit of the campus. out of respect for the quality of the existing building, the height of the new lecture hall center exactly matches that of the adjacent faculty of architecture. the permeable entrance level oscillates and communicates with its surroundings. by embedding the audimax and the adjoining seminar rooms into the site, the aula can be staged as a two-story open forum, a place for gathering. functions are clearly legible from both inside and outside, with the lecture halls articulated as three-dimensional volumes behind the climate envelope.

functional aspects
the entrance and central core of the building is the two-story aula, vertically connected to the upper floors. visual connections to all floors ensure clear orientation. the audimax, with the highest user frequency, is located on the entrance level, spatially connected to the seminar rooms. the organization of this area provides maximum space for internal and external events. according to their size, lecture halls are distributed across the levels. access is provided via the “common grounds” at the building’s center. the partial opening of the terrain toward the faculty of architecture creates an intimate outdoor area for seminar use, and also improves views and daylight for some rooms in the existing building. within the climate envelope, which serves as a building-physical buffer, clearly structured escape routes and relaxation zones are situated.

outdoor spaces
the transition from exterior to interior is seamless; nevertheless, the lecture hall center’s terrain is subtly lowered, focusing attention on the indoor forum. planting and surface qualities follow the overarching concept. the climate envelope offers a multi-story breathing and refreshing regeneration zone for faculty and students. a series of protected outdoor terraces are assigned to the various functional areas.

structural concept
the entire structural system is reinforced concrete. the lecture halls are designed as braced boxes, partially stacked and partially supported on a few columns. horizontal bracing is achieved through the lecture hall boxes and V- or X-shaped columns in multiple directions. the climate envelope is a lightweight steel-and-glass construction, suspended from above.

material concept
material selection emphasizes ecological footprint, co₂ emissions from production, transport, and deconstruction. the façade is hybrid, composed of thermally insulated brick exterior walls combined with generous glazing. the inherent quality of brick, as a typical material for this specific site, informs the design of the lecture hall walls. reference to material and craftsmanship, embedded in contemporary technology, defines the identity of the “university box.”

fire safety and escape routes
the entire structural system is reinforced concrete. the designed escape and rescue route concept for the assembly space ensures as uniform evacuation as possible in case of danger or fire, enabling safe exit for all occupants. each assembly room on the upper floors has two independent escape routes leading to a shared corridor. from this corridor, two laterally arranged covered exterior staircases made of non-combustible materials can be accessed in the opposite direction, within maximum walkway lengths. evacuation from levels 0 and -1 proceeds into the foyer and from there via laterally arranged emergency exit doors, respecting maximum walkway lengths and required escape route widths, directly to the exterior.

energy concept
the concept provides a double-skin façade, creating a climate envelope with significant benefits in both summer and winter. due to the inherently high internal loads, cooling is the primary concern for the intended use. roofs are extensively greened to prevent heat islands. energy supply is integrated into the heating and cooling concept of the masterplan.

the energy and building-physical concept identifies four zones of differing conditioning intensity:
the precisely controlled innermost zone of lecture halls and hybrid-served seminar rooms
general areas indirectly conditioned via overflow from lecture halls and seminar rooms
winter garden and buffer zones, developed from the closure of the external façade
stairwell areas, which receive only loose protection from the open external façade
this achieves:
- energy use precisely where required
- minimized maintenance due to short ducting and weather-protected sun shading in buffer zones
- enhanced acoustic protection while maximizing daylight despite compactness
- improved thermal protection via buffer zones
- pre-conditioned air even with window ventilation
- utilization of thermal mass and night ventilation where beneficial

acoustics and sound insulation
high sound insulation achieved through double façades.
in general areas:
sound absorption via different cladding of the inserted rooms.
in seminar rooms:
necessary absorption via suspended baffles; ceiling thermal mass remains active.
in lecture halls:
precisely tuned ceiling and wall panels ensure optimal acoustics.