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¯I site plan
Plan: IFUB* I¯

LANEW


Architectural competition for the extension of District Administration Offices located at the New Castle.

Location: 92660 Neustadt a. d. Waldnaab

Year: 2015

In collaboration with: Martin Steiner, Sebastian Struch (graphics, signage)

Awarding body: Landkreis Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab (Regional Council)

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¯I South Elevation
Plan: IFUB* I¯
Two exciting and unusual features of the "Landratsamt in Neustadt a. d. Waldnaab" - short

LANEW

- are its location and distribution of offices. Part of the administration is located in the historically important, so-called "Old Castle", another part in the still unfinished "New Castle", and a third part in an ill-fitting and historically incongruous 1970s extension. Lack of space and expansion options, in combination with the desire to eradicate the 70s eyesore, led to the decision to demolish the existing extension and rebuild it. In addition to requirements set out by monument protection and historic integration guidelines, accessibility and orientation in the three parts of the building were particularly important topics.
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¯I The gateway to the old town
Logo: IFUB* I¯

The gateway to the old town.

Bordered by Knorrstraße and Am Hohlweg, the new structure is positioned in the construction area between the former moat on one side and the old city wall on the other. This piece of land, which has hosted many historical builds in the past, will see the new extension set parallel to the New Castle.
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¯I Setback + Forecourt
Logo: IFUB* I¯
In order to respect the prominent

urban location

and surroundings of the New Palace, the height of the extension is limited to that of the eaves of the New Castle. In addition, the northern gable side recedes to the level of the easterly neighboring buildings, opening up the view to the corner of the New Castle. The creation of a pleasant forecourt extends the space and the view of the park above the underground parking and towards the future main entrance. In a similar way, the southern façade, reflecting those of the Old Town, is set back in relation to the New Castle.
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¯I Completing the city silhouette
Logo: IFUB* I¯
The

gable facades

typical to the old town are reproduced on the new building, just like the associated gable roofs, in order to complement and complete the city skyline.
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¯I Pitched roof + gable facade
Logo: IFUB* I¯
The main structure, with pitched roof and north-south ridge, responds to the shape of the buildings opposite with an

additional gable facade

in the east. As a result, the gable roof areas on the east side shift, while the roof to the New Castle remains static.
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¯I View from Knorrstraße
Bild: IFUB* I¯
These simple aesthetic responses to the existing surrounding architecture create a structure with an

exciting presence

that fits seamlessly into the urban space.
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¯I schematic development
Image: IFUB* I¯
The overall concept focuses on

improving orientation

in the entire office complex.
The most important point here is optimized development. Despite the differing ground levels encountered on all four sides of the site, the extension provides barrier-free access throughout. This is achieved through meticulous, detailed planning of the various entrance levels, which additionally create a direct and logical route to the central passage of the New Castle. Now, you can reach the main reception from any of the four entrances along an optimized and most efficient route.
Optical cues also aid easy orientation. Since two of the entrances are arranged without any closed physical partitions to separate them, a view through the entire building is achieved. This spatial effect is reinforced by the central atrium and the open staircase, which intercepts the horizontal and the vertical planes of the room. Open views from the atrium to the upper floors extend this principle.
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¯I signage system
Graphic: M. Steiner + S. Struch I¯
When it comes to navigating a building, architecture can already do a lot. Ideally, such cues are supported by an architecture-based

signage system

to guide visitors efficiently to the location they are looking. The typographic style of the font used for the signs of the new development (Akkurat) harmonizes with the architecture, from which other forms of symbolic representation are derived . The guidance is substantiated in its material positioning — the bronzed sheet metal — as a holistic system that is carried over to the other two buildings.
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¯I functional layer + natural lighting
Logo: IFUB* I¯
In addition to the optimized orientation, the building is structured in a way that proves effortless to navigate. All rooms are positioned within an

outer shell

between facade and courtyard. Thus, not only does every workplace have light, air and clear views, but all are equally accessible. The internal development is flooded with light, creating a friendly atmosphere. Meeting rooms, kitchens, and copy rooms, are always grouped and arranged in the most pleasant spaces on each level.
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¯I Site plan
Plan: IFUB* I¯

Site plan and roof aspect

Viewed from above, the logical placement and integration of the extension building is clear. The preservation of the former moat between the New Castle and the extension was not only a necessary condition in accordance with monument protection, but it also ensures an adequate separation to the New Castle.
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¯I entire north elevation
Plan: IFUB* I¯
The new entrances are sized according to their intended use and significance and are clearly recognizable by the stylistic round arch. Round arches are used not only in the New Castle but

throughout the Old Town

as a way of marking important entranceways. Through tweaking and adapting these features to the new facades, they are reinterpreted with a contemporary accent.
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¯I north elevation
Plan: IFUB* I¯

north elevation

Although all entrances in the building are equally accessible and well located, the entrance on the north side has been designed specially to fit to the wide facade – it stands out as the large main entrance.
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¯I east elevation
Plan: IFUB* I¯

east elevation

The facade is designed as a punctuated facade. It uses a uniform window format that deliberately deviates from a strict symmetrical arrangement. The windows themselves are perfectly adapted to the interior spaces and intended uses of the rooms. The floor-to-ceiling format allows a view from the seated position at the workplace and maximized natural light, and incorporates an openable sash for each employee.
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¯I west elevation
Plan: IFUB* I¯

west elevation

For the long east and west facades, the windows are clustered to allow for the organization and arrangement in relation to closed areas (staircase, toilets, level intercepts).
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¯I South Elevation
Plan: IFUB* I¯

south elevation

Of particular importance is the bridge leading to the entrance of the New Castle, added as an extrusion of the existing entrance during the extension. The diamond design of the cantilevered bridge’s facade is inspired by its supporting structure. The same theme will be transferred to the interiors of the two entrances.
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¯I Details of views, facades, internal + external
Plan: IFUB* I¯

Detail of facades and interiors

Immense and powerful, just like the Old Town architecture, the extension building is a solid and stable construction. The facade, a white-washed slab of simple masonry, forms a connection between the smooth plaster surfaces of the Old Town and the ancient city walls that used to stand there. The off-white of the finish works to visually soften the underlying masonry, the flush, reinforced concrete load-bearing structures, and levelled window architraves. In contrast to the rest of the brick facade, the plinth and corners are made of smooth concrete that has also been white-washed. In addition to the varied textural experience this creates, a certain dynamic liveliness is achieved in the facade. Again, with meticulously designed window details, reference is made to the character of the Old Town. The local, dark gray slate used for the roof further enhances the facade. To emphasize the stylistically influential features of the entrance in addition to the sculptural projection of the load-bearing frame, a bronzed sheet metal is used to cover the round arches, the window facings and also the outer cladding of the connecting bridge. This "internal-to-exterior material" continues indoors on the indoor parapets, where it meets white walls and ceilings as well as wooden doors and paneling. The wood and metal, key to the interior design, are further united on the wooden, aluminum coated window frames.
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¯I floor plan: level 0
Plan: IFUB* I¯

Level 0

As the new building has been integrated into the existing terrain, the outdoor facilities require very little alteration. With just a few simple measures, subtle improvements have been made. In particular, the previously unused moat has been developed with a new, wide staircase to link both to the existing Baroque garden and the park above the underground garage. A simple design with abundant greenery, water channels and seating creates high quality recreational space for those working in and visiting the development.
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¯I floor plan: level 1
Plan: IFUB* I¯

Level 1

The compact volume of the extension is designed for maximum efficiency. Particularly noteworthy here is the full conversion of the attic space, whereby the entire enclosed space is used. In terms of building construction, attention was paid to a simple, economical construction (ring-formed outer and inner wall), which reduces expensive building materials and optimizes ceiling heights. A further optimization of the floor heights was achieved by eliminating suspended ceilings, and centrally managing all media installations in enclosed utility and installation casings. These are designed to be easily accessible, and with short cable routes, conveniently revisable.
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¯I floor plan: level 2
Plan: IFUB* I¯

level 2

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¯I floor plan: level 3
Plan: IFUB* I¯

level 3

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¯I floor plan: level 4
Plan: IFUB* I¯

level 4

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¯I cross section
Plan: IFUB* I¯

cross section

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¯I Longitudinal section
Plan: IFUB* I¯

Longitudinal section

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¯I Model
Foto: IFUB* I¯

Model