HUERTH KNAPSACK CHEMERGIE




PUBLIC SPACES
EINTRANCE AREAS

SEMI-OPEN URBAN
DESIGN COMPETITION

2. PRIZE

The industrial complex Infraserv / RWE lies on a hill and hence acts as a superior landmark. This effect is intensified by the continuous production of ‘clouds’ of water vapour and special lighting at night. On the one hand, the described spatial-atmospheric features entice into exploration - on the other hand, the facility dodges any attempt of approximation because of its dimension. The site cannot be trespassed. The production processes are not very vivid either. Interesting places lie side by side, yet unconnected. In between, some spaces of very low attractivity are to be bridged.

Hürth entrance area: The entrance area to the Infraserv Hürth plant is marked by an elongated gallery. The gallery building comprises a front area and the existing parking lots. To the west follows the exploration route around the factory's boundary.

The gallery building is framed by the entrance gate on the east, and by the extension of the Rhein-Erft-Akademie on the west. It covers all planned uses and serves as a display window for the location. As a transparent screen, the gallery provides insights into the facilities laying behind. Along the gallery, the paths of employees, suppliers, members of the academy as well as of visitors are crossing.

Exploration path / membrane: The three entrance areas Hürth, Knapsack and Goldbergstraße are to be connected to one another along the northern plant boundary by an exploration path. Staying areas and observation stations have been inserted in suitable places. The stations can be easily dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere if the facility is changed.

Setting Cooling tower / RWE Power entrance area: A step-by-step expansion is proposed for the cooling tower. As a first step, a light staircase leads to a small vestibule on the inside of the tower. From here, an overview of the terrain is possible. The interior of the cooling tower is suitable for product presentations and open air events, among others. Two additional staircases can be implemented if respective uses can be established. The existing pulpit is completed into a closed ring. The chancel as well as the later extension to a comprehensive ring mark the former cooling tower as a landmark.

Along the Goldbergstraße, between the intersection of Firmenichstraße and Engelbertstraße, a strung-out garden is inserted. In addition to its function as a place to stay, it is intended to provide visitors with insight into the processes of the facilities.