United Architektur with Ludwig Heimbach create incubator for affordable-housing organisation
Berlin-based architects Bernd Huckriede, Jens Brinkmann and Ludwig Heimbach have created a 5,500sq m centre for start-up businesses for affordable-housing organisation Gebäudewirtschaft Cottbus.
The centre, named Startblock B2, is on the opposite side of Cottobus‘ Brandenburg University of Tehnology Campus to Herzog & de Meuron’s Information, Communication and Media Centre building, also known as IKMZ.
The architects – Huckriede and Brinkmann practice as United Architektur – said their building’s multi-layered façade was designed to create a visually dynamic appearance that reflects the character of start-up culture and allow free views of the exterior from the inside.
The semi-transparent screens reflect the city colours of Cottbus, which is about 60 miles south-east of Berlin, and also provide shade and act as semi-transparent screening for the building’s work areas.
The building is a hybrid structure with a prefabricated wooden curtain wall façade that hangs in front of the concrete shell construction.
The lightweight textile fabric of the exterior façade stretches over steel frames. The wooden façade is clad with perforated aluminum sheets.
Its ground floor serves as a public threshold between the users of the building and the interested general public and university community.
Project client Gebäudewirtschaft Cottbus said it saw its task not only as providing affordable housing, but also in offering people improved economic opportunities.
The centre is operated by Economic Development Cottbus
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