Campus Daycare Centre in Merseburg by Aline Hielscher

Aline Hielscher Architektur renovated the former telephone exchange on behalf of the Halle Student Services Association. The new campus daycare centre is characterised by its coloured window frames and facade elements.

New use for an old building

Merseburg University of Applied Sciences' campus is characterised by GDR buildings from the 1950s and 1960s, most of which have already been renovated. The former telephone exchange, a two-storey extension to dormitory 8, was the next building to be renovated. The existing building's regular grid proved advantageous during the renovation and conversion into a daycare centre, as it allowed flexibility in accommodating the new use.

The bel étage

During the renovation, the main entrance was relocated from the basement to the ground floor to improve accessibility for families and staff. The ground floor now houses primarily public functions, such as the foyer, hallway, group rooms, sanitary rooms, kitchen and children's restaurant, which is also used for events. The deep window sills in the hallway provide seating for waiting parents.

Play area in the basement

Unlike the ground floor, the basement only has windows at the back. This is where the bedrooms and staff rooms are located, including the exercise room. The existing building's generous ceiling height allowed for different levels to be installed where children can let off steam. This floor also offers direct access to the rear garden.

Play paradise in the basement, © Celia Uhalde

Monochrome colour scheme

The building is characterised by a strict colour scheme of grey and English red with wooden accents. The striking English red of the window frames and facade elements is also reflected in the kitchen and sanitary room tiles, emphasising the building's holistic design. Inside, the wooden windows have been left in their natural state to match the spruce wood of the built-in furniture, including shelves, play galleries and kitchen fronts.

Successful transformation

The remarkable achievement of the Aline Hielscher architectural firm is that it has preserved almost the entire existing structure of the building during its conversion from a GDR telephone exchange to a campus daycare centre, all the while giving it a distinct contemporary architectural and design language. The striking window frames and facade elements are particularly noteworthy, making the building a unique gem on the Merseburg university campus.

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