Eating in the Green Hill
With the expansion of the educational campus for 10,000 students, the construction of a new cafeteria will be necessary. In the middle of the campus square, a unique place is being created, integrated into a green topography. In order not to restrict the usable open spaces for students, a walkable green hill is being created on the campus square. While the students sit in the sun on the hill, up to 1600 meals are prepared by the Studierendenwerk in the basement. A passageway divides the hill into an area for the dining room and a smaller part above the kitchen. The main access is to a gallery in the guest room, which is defined by the multi-curved ceiling shell. An equally free-form inner courtyard generously illuminates the room and offers space for outdoor catering. An open staircase leads from the gallery to the guest room in the basement. The kitchen and ancillary rooms are located on the same level, while further storage and technical areas are located on the 2nd basement floor.
In the guest room, all shapes and materials are adapted to the special situation of the place. The free-form ceiling, which is up to over 7 m high, takes over the room acoustics and accommodates the necessary fixtures arranged according to their shape. In addition, special luminaires are used as free groups to divide the room. The large outer wall is defined by figurative representations of implied people, so as not to give the impression of emptiness even in times of less use of the cafeteria. A sgraffito plaster underlines the artistic treatment of the wall surface. The multi-coloured seating, which is coordinated with the overall design, blends in with the large form of the building. Below the gallery is the food counter, which is determined by long counter systems and a glass mosaic wall to the kitchen. Large-format openings provide an insight into food production. By opening up the rooms outside of meal times, another individual and attractive place to spend time on campus is created.
Text: Auer Weber Architekten
Photos: Roland Halbe
