Microapartements at Dortmunder U

Project information

The development of the quartier “Dortmunder U” is progressing continuously and only a few open spaces are available for further development. On one of the last estates of the former Union brewery, new micro-apartments for students are to be built in the future. In the course of a workshop procedure, an ensemble of buildings was designed which harmoniously blends into the character of the entire area and continues it in a coherent manner. The developed new building consists of four slightly bent building bars, which are all connected by a continous two-storey main axis. Due to the steeply sloping terrain, the floor level of the blocks rises in the direction of the Dortmunder U – Centre for Art and Creativity. The fully glazed main axis also follows the existing topography and uses the great difference in height at Ritterstraße for a spacious, bright and open entrance hall. Public and communal usage units such as a kiosk and a cafeteria as well as seminar rooms, (group-) work areas, communication areas and the reception area for the ground floor area of the respective parts of the building are planned. On the upper floors of the lock buildings, a total of 479 student apartments of various sizes and different layouts are distributed: from 20 m² single rooms up to 4-person shared flats. The city’s requirement to create a green area between the vocational colleges and the new building has led to the design of a sculpture and art park that offers residents and visitors a green place to stay and at the same time provides space for cultural events.