St. Servatius District Center

The St. Servatius District Center in Bornheim exemplifies particularly successful collaboration among expert committees, the city administration, the developer consortium, neighbors, architects, and specialist consultants. It features an exceptional architectural concept and a differentiated development that creates urban space, mediating the transition between single-family homes and the church, as well as between Peter-Frings-Platz and the platform located 9 meters higher. The building ensemble offers a large public open staircase connecting the train station and the small-town square, which awaits further development to serve people, not just cars. The architecture evokes southern European developments, forming alleys, providing vistas, capturing light and sun, and presenting many interesting facets. Just as the diverse users present an interesting mix yet form a cohesive unit, so too does the building behave. The building mass rises with the natural slope of the terrain. The main access level is on the first floor, at the pedestrian plaza, which is easily accessible via a ramp, stairs, and an elevator for people with disabilities or those with strollers. Cars are parked within the hillside. The staggered arrangement and articulation of the building complex rise towards the church, yet maintain a respectful distance and remain modest in relation to the dominant church building. Metal and green roofs, facades made of wood or metal-glass constructions, and walls with colored, mineral plaster, along with stairs, terraces, and ramps, characterize the exterior appearance. The interior finishes, including wooden doors, linoleum floors, and light plastered surfaces, are designed to create a positive atmosphere for the life and work of the building’s occupants and their visitors, incorporating natural light and sun.