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¯I site plan
Plan: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯

PROLIN


Renovation and development of a former textile factory as the new training center for REHAU AG + Co

Location: Gerberstraße 20, 95111 Rehau

Year: 2008 – 2010

Project: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER Architects

Client: REHAU AG + Co

Awards:
Fritz-Höger-Prize 2014 - Category: office and commercial builds - special mention
Nominated for BDA Prize Bayern 2013 - Category: Ecological Concepts
best architects 11 Award in Gold
DETAIL Prize 2011 (Enterprise Award, Corporate)

In press:
Bauwelt 28/2010, Baumeister 02/2010, Metamorphose 02/2011, db 05/2011, Brick Bulletin 06/2011, Arkitekten 06/2011, Deutsches Architektur Jahrbuch 2011/2012, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 18.10.2011
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¯I View from northwest
Photo: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯
The merger of REHAU AG’s technical and commercial trainees from various locations in the city, together with the company’s rising number of apprenticeships, resulted in the 2008 decision to provide a new venue for training their own

next-generation young professionals.

In addition to the redesign and renovation, the use of state-of-the-art technology in the field of regenerative energy and ecologically sound materials ensured that the training center also became a model ecological construction.
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¯I View before the renovation
Photo: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯
Following on from the strongly locally-orientated corporate philosophy, a run-down, dilapidated warehouse and

former textile factory

from 1885, which was already owned by the company, was chosen for the new training center. The old building, a monument of the region’s industrial history, is located in a prominent yet picturesque location on the banks of the river Schwessnitz.
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¯I Old warehouse during construction
Photo: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯
Due to its deteriorating structure, the old building had to be completely gutted. Only the

solid brick walls

remained standing.
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¯I New build during construction
Photo: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯
The expressive new build adjoining the old warehouse was built as a

reinforced concrete construction

with a brick veneer to suit the older building.
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¯I View from the south
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The new building is connected to the western gable side of the warehouse; it extends the primary line of the warehouse’s pitched roof and with an angle following the course of the meandering river, settles into its own

incisive and imposing form.

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¯I View from the east
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The aim was to provide both a reflection of the historical roots of the company, represented by the old building, and a modern and technologically

progressive extension.

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¯I Junction of new and old
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The morphology, as well as all the other formative elements of the building — materials, structure, surfaces, and composition — are based on the underlying approach of

TRANSITIONING AND DEVELOPING

from old to new.
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¯I Window component
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The client's desire to use high efficiency heat-insulating plastic windows (from their own production), while retaining the original

CAST IRON frames,

was realized through combining the existing window with a new internal one in the form of a box-type window construction.
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¯I Workshops
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The building is divided into three levels with three different uses. The training workshops for

practical skills on the ground floor

are decorated in calming, work-conducive blue tones.
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¯I Main stairs
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The upper floors can be reached via a

spacious STAIRCASE.

Part of the staircase in the entrance area is reserved as an exhibition mount for trainee workpieces.
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¯I stair rail
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The distinctive

BLACK BAND

appears again and again throughout the building.
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¯I recreation area
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
A buffer between work and learning, the

recreation area on THE FIRST FLOOR

is set in stimulating and cheerful red shades. The building's structure, which has been kept white and gray throughout, forms a suitably restrained backdrop.
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¯I recreation area
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The large

recreation area

is at the heart of the building and is actively used not only during breaks but also for events.
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¯I Men's changing room
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
In addition to the recreation area, there are storage rooms on the first floor as well as

changing rooms and sanitary facilities.

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¯I display table
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
The confrontation between

old and new

is highly prominent at the intersection of the two buildings. The two dominant materials — brick and reinforced concrete — are strikingly displayed on the first floor, courtesy of a "folded out" display table.
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¯I large classroom
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯
For a productive learning environment, the

education space on the second floor

was kept fresh and neutral with flooring in various shades of green.
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¯I small classroom
Photo: Stefan Meyer I¯

TRAINING ROOMS

of different sizes, together with an IT room, complete the overall concept.
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¯I ground plans
Plan: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯

ground plans

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¯I sections
Plan: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯

sections
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¯I elevations
Plan: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯

elevations

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¯I Facade detail of the old building
Plan: WEBERWÜRSCHINGER I¯

Facade detail of the old building