The new building of the district office complements the existing ensemble of the pagoda, Villa Roller and the police building in a harmonious manner. It incorporates the existing building lines, thus rounding off the previously heterogeneous surroundings into a cohesive ensemble. To enhance the building as a landmark, an additional, slightly set back floor is added. Enclosed by Villa Roller, the pagoda building and the extension of the district office, a new square is created, which, together with the Rems-Murr water feature, greenery and the view of the church tower, creates a vibrant atmosphere and a high-quality public space.
Façade
The façade is divided into a base area with a ventilated and insulated brick façade, which encloses the underground parking level accommodating the mobility centre and technical centre on the street side. With the external staircases, it rises by one floor to the level of the square. On the south side, the façade is broken up in accordance with the façade design above, revealing the recessed entrance area with full glazing. The façade above consists of an irregular alternation of photovoltaic elements and windows. The floors are separated by an all-round cornice in a contrasting colour. The top floor is set back and barely noticeable when viewed from close proximity to the extension. It is generously glazed, and closed elements are clad in coloured glass. The upper floors feature a wood-aluminium post-and-beam façade with triple insulation glazing and a cable-guided sun protection system.
Environmentally friendly materials - timber hybrid construction
Recycled old concrete is used on the ground floor and for the staircase cores. The upper floors are mainly built in wood. The floor slabs are planned as timber-concrete composite slabs. These wood structures are protected through structural means rather than chemical methods. Sandwich elements are avoided; and care is taken to ensure easy dismantling. The façade bands are clad with recycled copper, which can be sorted and recycled in a pure form.
Internal organisation
The entire building organisation is mainly based on the three-zone model, dividing the building into a public area for citizens or visitors, a non-public area for employees and a consultation zone where employees and citizens/visitors can meet. The most significant advantage of this model is the clear guidance of people’s movement inside the building, which provides employees with new possibilities for office organisation. An open-plan office structure with group offices and flexible workstations becomes possible. As this model significantly reduces the need for corridors, it is also space-efficient.