City Hall E5
CITY HALL E5
Mannheim, Germany
Renovation of fire-protection infrastructure, modernization of interior installation, preservation order
Site management
Realisation
1. Construction phase 2016 - 2017
2.-12. Construction phase 2018-2020
Area total 15000 sqm, Foyer 100 sqm
Costs 2 Mio. Euro
Architects
Dittel Architekten, Stuttgart
Team
Max Seibert
Christin Gegenheimer, project architect and site management
Client
Stadt Mannheim (City of Mannheim)
The brief for this project was to develope a new representative corporate design for the town hall in Mannheim whilst renovating the building with a better fire-protection infrastructure to ensure safety for the people throughout the entire building. The renovation of the foyer was the first phase of realising the concept.
The city of Mannheim is characterized by economic strength and tradition. The town hall is the first port of call for requesting help and information. The values of quality, transparency and community form the basis of the new design. Stemming from these values is an open and modern spatial design concept which integrates high-quality materials and colours that convey identity.
The barrier-free glazed entrance provides an initial view into the bright, modern space, which features accents of colour in the characteristic shade of red which is part of Mannheim’s corporate design. Spatial zoning allows each area to be recognised quickly. Visitors turn right to go to the constantly-manned reception desk or left to the information and waiting zones, which have interactive touch panels and a comfortable lounge area.
Employees use their chip card to pass through access control. High-resolution screens provide a detailed guidance system throughout the area as well as information about the city.
All reconstruction measures are implemented with protection of the listed building elements. The combination of a smooth, soft sand-coloured resin floor, white walls and acoustic plaster ceilings creates a bright space which is neutrally lit with energy-saving lighting. Suspended pendant lights which hang over the furniture in the reception and information areas emphasise the function of each area and support the zoning.
The subtle material and colour concept is rounded off with furniture made from solid wood-quality oak and high-quality mineral laminate as well as with shades of red in the fabric and a sheet steel doorframe.
The step-free entrance and wheelchair-friendly furniture exemplify the consistent barrier-free concept. As part of the ongoing renovation of the entire building, which measures approximately 15,000 m2, the foyer forms the first completed construction phase.