The Consolidation and Expansion Centre (FUX) is positioned in the east of the slaughterhouse area and is directly adjacent to the Karlsruhe Messplatz, which is available for various festivals and events all year round. In terms of urban development, the new building is based on the strict specifications of the development plan and constructively deals with the information from the "Design Handbook Old Slaughterhouse".

The entrance to the FUX is on the west side, at the end of the connecting axis between the Tollhaus cultural centre and the Perfekt Futur start-up centre. The two-storey foyer with cafeteria is accessed via a vestibule. This central meeting point in the building offers space for breaks, communication and smaller events with a public character. Also located on the ground floor is the coworking area, which as an activator enables a permanent revitalization of the ground floor level, in line with the intention for the area of the Old Slaughterhouse. In accordance with the expected dynamic use of the building and based on the industrial history of the area, the FUX is designed as a contemporary loft building. Building on a grid of 1.25/ 3.75 metres, in which all desired office sizes can be sensibly realised, the building unfolds its rational structure. The offset of the upper cubature remains legible in the interior. The resulting widening of the building offers space for the circulation core and communication areas on the floors. The communication zones are networked with each other across the floors by means of air spaces. The efficient organisation of the interior allows for selective spatial expansions and openings, which gives the building a sense of spaciousness despite the tight conditions.

The robust structural structure and organisation of the building allow for a variety of changes in use and division. In particular, these enable the tenants to appropriate the building in a processual manner. The reinforced concrete surfaces in the interior were left raw and material-coloured. For exposed concrete surfaces, a high fair-faced concrete class is deliberately avoided. The installation guide is visible on the ceilings in galvanized steel pipes and cable trays as well as in a simple cavity floor. The industrial character is emphasised by the use of semi-finished products and contrasted by a few deliberately placed accents in the furniture. Due to the optimisation of space and cubature, the selection of fewer industrial materials and an appropriate technical concept (as little as possible, as much as necessary), the ambitious requirements of the budget could be met. Users can now be offered low-cost rental space in a refined, unpretentious shell with loft character. The exposed concrete slabs are very well suited for the use of component activation. Geothermal heating and cooling is therefore used for heating and cooling. The development is carried out via a total of 15 geothermal probes with depths between 90 and 130 metres below the building.

Source: Birk Heilmeyer and Frenzel Architekten
Photos: Brigida González

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