Housing Block in Dortmund

The process of rehabilitating the Ruhr industrial area and turning it into a modern urban environment is clearly evident in the district of Hörde in Dortmund. Plans exist to transform the derelict areas once occupied by the Phoenix blast-furnace plant into a location for innovative activities, with a mixture of research and development, service and leisure facilities as well as housing. A few streets away, a similar concept has been implemented in the conversion of a small block of flats. The use has not changed, but the appearance has. In the process of adding a storey to the house, the roof has been renewed and the facade insulated. The outcome is a new, clear-cut cubic structure with a double-pitched roof. The windows have been set flush with the outer face, and the projections in the existing external walls have been levelled out with two layers of thermal insulation. The smooth rendered outer walls continue without a break into the sheet-zinc roof surfaces. Rainwater gutters in the same material are integrated into the planes of the roof; and removed from sight in the rear slope is a domed light that illuminates the staircase space. On the street face, the building asserts itself with a clear presence, and both the front aspect and the gable end (overlooking an access courtyard) have an urban significance. Set back somewhat from the broad pavement, the entrance is covered by a finely articulated glazed canopy. The adjoining staircase is illuminated from above through the roof light and via a light well, which allowed the omission of windows in the respective facade areas. Aluminium sheeting with colourful printing lends the staircase space an artistic quality and forms a welcome contrast to the monochrome concept of the rest of the house. A solid balustrade winds sculpturally up the new concrete staircase, and the layout of the additional dwelling on the second floor varies from that of the existing flats with its open-plan living-dining area. Dortmund would seem to be a particularly fruitful location, as this project demonstrates, rejuvenated and risen like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes.