courtesy Andreas Hanke

courtesy Andreas Hanke

courtesy Andreas Hanke

courtesy Andreas Hanke

The large residential estate Höxterstrasse Hagen of the Gemeinnützige Wohnstättengenossenschaft Hagen built in the 1970s shared the fate of many a residential sites of that time; they were considered as social hotspots and looked extremely rundown. The integrated project approach of the Dortmund architect, Andreas Hanke, remedied this problem. He planned the basic modernisation and energy-conserving renovation of the facades, windows and roofs with solar systems. In addition, the entrances, lighting and stairways were renovated, and the green spaces and playgrounds were redesigned. The architecture thereby focuses on the traditional structure and proportions, as were to be found in historic buildings of the 19th century. This narrative concept rids the seventeen grey residential blocks – all of the same shape – of their monotony and gives the building back its basement and mezzanine level, string course, canopies, etc… The narrow, dark entrances were replaced by a generous portal, and the large house numbers above the canopies made orientation considerably easier. Particularly worthy of mention is the mezzanine level which is decorated throughout with a picturesque mountain landscape. This is printed on ALUCOBOND®. Inspired by the mountain paintings of the artist, Edward Theodore Compton (1849–1921), the decorative picture relates to the hilly landscape of Hagen. The architect was also stimulated by paintings where the seventeen different colours of the building are concerned; the colour compositions of light beige to dark red originate from the paintings of the Italian artist, Giorgio de Chirico (1888–1978).

+ Project facts

Project Name: Höxterstraße
Location: Hagen, Germany
Architect: Stadtbildplanung Dortmund GmbH – Andreas Hanke, Architekt
Product: ALUCOBOND® in 17 Assorted Colours
Mezzanine Band: Custom Silk Screen
Year of Completion: 2008
Client: GWG Hagen
Fabricator: Henke AG

+ All images and drawings courtesy Andreas Hanke