BlueBox Bochum
The BlueBox Bochum , also known as the old canteen , is part of the Bochum University campus and, since reopening in May 2011, has offered architecture students space for 350 workplaces and events for up to 800 people on 3,500 square meters. The name BlueBox comes from the blue facade panels of the former storage library.
history
Origin and use of the building 1963–1970
The BlueBox was built between 1963 and 1965 as a temporary cafeteria for the Ruhr University Bochum. It was designed by the architect Bruno Lambart based on the model of the Crown Hall in Chicago by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The building should be erected in the shortest possible time in order to be able to supply the students with meals as quickly as possible. In addition, the building should be able to be dismantled if necessary and rebuilt elsewhere. The building was used as a temporary cafeteria for the Ruhr University Bochum for six years. Four thousand to six thousand meals were prepared here every day for the students and the teaching staff.
Interim use 1971–2000
In 1971 the cafeteria was shut down and the library of Bochum University moved into the house for two years, as the library building was still under construction. Three years later, the university library moved into its new building and the former cafeteria was empty for almost ten years. A discotheque and a car repair shop are said to have been in the house during this period. Around 1985 the building was given a new use. The Cologne University Library Center housed a storage magazine for 250,000 to 300,000 books, magazines and newspapers in the former temporary cafeteria.
Architecture center at Bochum University from 2001
In 1993, when Wolfgang Krenz was appointed professor, another change in use was announced. He recognized the potential of the orphaned building for teaching in the architecture department at Bochum University. Krenz and his fellow professors had the vision of a learning center for architecture students. During several successful competitions with diploma theses from the Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Krenz got to know the textile entrepreneur Klaus Steilmann and found in him an important sponsor of his idea. Steilmann's company had grown from 1958 to 1990 with the production of inexpensive fashion to become the largest textile company in Europe. He had numerous contacts in business and politics and offered Krenz his help. In 1999 he was made an honorary senator of the Bochum University of Applied Sciences for his voluntary work, especially for the BlueBox Bochum. After long negotiations, the Cologne University Library Center cleared the building at the end of 2000. 36 years after opening, Bochum University was able to take over the former cafeteria for teaching. After minor renovations and the overhaul of fire protection precautions, the architecture department moved into the building in 2001. The upper floor became the studio for the architecture students. Exhibitions, international workshops and architecture conferences were held on the ground floor, such as the AMM Symposium, Germany's most important conference for architecture communication. The successful concept was widely recognized by experts and the general public. The BlueBox became a figurehead for architecture training in Bochum.
Current development
In 2009, the green light was finally given to turn the originally temporary building into a permanent institution. After almost two years of complete renovation and adaptation to the new usage requirements by the architect Prof. Wolfgang Krenz, the Department of Architecture at Bochum University moved into the BlueBox in spring 2011.
Learning concept
For the students, the work situation in the BlueBox should be closely aligned with that of a large architectural office. In addition, modern computers, printers and plotters offer all the requirements for studying at a high level. Practice-oriented learning, internationally oriented teaching and business start-ups represent the three pillars of the program in the BlueBox Bochum. With its 3,500 square meters, the building offers architecture students the space they need to encourage cross-semester teamwork from the start of their studies. Cooperation projects from business, science and politics should be made possible beyond the context of the university in the form of exhibitions, lectures, events and workshops. The BlueBox Bochum is also open to students from other universities on a national and international level with the aim of being a “meeting point and studio for international architecture students”.
Architecture concept
In 1963, the Ratinger architect Bruno Lambart began construction of the building planned as a temporary canteen for the Ruhr University Bochum. On the occasion of the inauguration of the Ruhr University in June 1965, Lambart's canteen was published in many specialist journals. With his prefabricated construction method and a tubular steel modular system, the architect succeeded in creating an almost column-free building with a special atmosphere. With its large windows and its lightness, the house exuded the spirit of optimism of post-war modernism: modernity, transparency, generosity and yet appropriateness. In terms of construction and spatial effect, it is related to the famous Crown Hall of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The complete renovation of the building was undertaken in 2008 by the architecture professor Wolfgang Krenz with his office Archwerk Generalplaner KG. The former Eiermann student was already enthusiastic about the architecture of the house in the nineties and describes the building as an "architectural icon". Planning for the renovation began three years ago. In addition to the architect, the building physicist Reiner Pohlenz was also involved. In addition to the energetic renovation of the building envelope, fire protection was one of the central topics of the core renovation. The stairwells had to be enclosed and new RWA systems were installed on the roof. The structural engineer Karsten Tichelmann was commissioned with the revitalization of the Mero structure of the BlueBox. For the result of the core renovation, the BlueBox received the recognition of good buildings in 2010 from the BDA Bochum.
The Klaus Steilmann Auditorium is located on the upper floor of the BlueBox and offers space for 800 people for lectures. The special atmosphere of the room is created by the light that filtered through the sun protection slats penetrates the large room. The filigree, white-painted Mero supporting structure of the ceiling is also an architectural eye-catcher. Lectures, workshops, exhibitions and international events can take place in the hall.
During the renovation, all blue panels of the former storage library were removed and the facade was extensively glazed. The steel elements are anthracite again, in keeping with the original color. When you enter the house, there is a deliberately staged contrast, as the interior is kept completely white. Then there are the light gray chairs for the workplaces. The modern, restrained space lets the person stand in the center. The students become the central actors.
Individual evidence
- ↑ BlueBox Bochum. In: Hochschule Bochum.de. November 20, 2007, accessed May 2, 2011 .
- ↑ Core renovation BlueBoxBochum. (No longer available online.) In: bda-bund.de. Association of German Architects, archived from the original on January 23, 2016 ; Retrieved May 2, 2011 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
literature
- BlueBox Bochum International Competence Center Architecture. Center of Excellence. (PDF; 3.66 MB) BlueBoxBochum eV, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, September 2007, accessed on May 2, 2011 .
- Katja Krauß, Johannes Zettel: Interview with Prof. Krenz, architect of the renovation “The BlueBox is my very special child” .
- Brigitte Cramer, Katja Krauß: Current announcement about the opening, new space for creativity in Bochum. Architecture center at Bochum University reopened .
- Sonja Wilhelm: Background report: Architecture, uses, perspectives, courageous metamorphosis. From the cafeteria to the architecture center .
Web links
- BlueBox Bochum on the Bochum University of Applied Sciences homepage
- Video with interview by architect Bruno Lambart
- Report on the core renovation of the BlueBox Bochum on the HP from the Bund Deutscher Architekten
- Report on the renovation and use of the BlueBox Bochum at HP German Architects
- BlueBox Bochum at baukunst-nrw
Coordinates: 51 ° 26 ′ 53 ″ N , 7 ° 16 ′ 10 ″ E