YEAR

2023-2024

PURPOSE

This is a project for the course "Entwerfen und Baukonstruktion - Architecture Design and Construction" by Prof. Jan Kampshoff. The Verticalstudio ‘’Interim Interventions‘’ explores the limits of architecture and asks: How can temporary architecture catalyse transformation processes?

The “Bürgewald - Place of the Future” project signifies a pivotal change for Morschenich-Alt, a village in the Rhenish mining area. Initially slated for open-cast lignite mining, much of the town has been resettled. However, a 2016 decision has opened new possibilities for the area. The project aims to transform Morschenich-Alt into a model of sustainable living, showcasing a path for structural change in the region.

The measures centre on preserving the historic village's image while integrating modern, sustainable buildings and infrastructure. The first step is to develop a specialised vision of the future with the help of experts. One of the project goals is the restoration of St Lambert's Church.

The first church in the village dates back to the 12th century. A new church was built in the 16th century but was partially destroyed by fire in the mid-18th century, leaving only the tower's basement. It was rebuilt in 1775 in Baroque style, featuring a three-sided recessed choir and a projecting bell tower. Sadly, the interior was destroyed during World War II, with only the north wall of the nave and the tower remaining.

The reconstruction of the parish church was completed in 1955. After further interventions, the church was deconsecrated in 2019 to make it a venue for cultural events. A fire in 2023 destroyed its roof.

MY ROLE

We worked in a team of 3 students. Our project aims to reuse the space for cultural activities. I worked in the conception phase; I realized...

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

Archicad, Autocad, Indesign, Photoshop, and Rhino; the models are realized with wood, paper, concrete, steel, twigs, film, and tissue.

2. Midterm Presentation

DECEMBER 2023

COLLECTION OF IDEAS

Above: Turn upside down, subdivide, put together

Below, left: Organisation of the rooms. Laboratory, Botanical garden and vegetable garden, Apartment, Water tank

Below, right: The path of water

SITE PLAN

FLOOR PLANSGround Floor, First Floor, Second Floor

VIEWSView South-East, View East

SECTION

1. Project-integrated Design of the Supporting Structure

MARCH 2024

Analysis

The analysis of the St. Lambertus Church's building area, damaged by fire in 2023, highlights key factors for future construction planning. The main room remains standing but lacks a roof, with wall heights varying from 3 to 8 meters. The connected tower, without a roof, reaches 12 meters and includes a mezzanine accessed via an adjoining room with two intact walls 5 meters high.

These architectural conditions significantly impact the stability and planning of the reconstruction. Room dimensions and structures influence support placement and static system choices, making a thorough static analysis crucial for ensuring load-bearing capacity. This includes assessing architectural data, estimating expected loads, and calculating internal forces based on material properties.

Future use changes must be considered for flexible design. Following the April 2023 fire, the church's reconstruction aims to support the revival of the village and preserve its historical character, as approved by the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Construction.

Our design features a square structure with a pincer shape supported by multiple pillars. The main beams consist of two upper and two lower beams for even weight distribution to prevent deflections and cracking. A ring beam enhances stability by distributing loads and neutralizing tensile forces.

A plastic tarp covers the beams and creates water-collecting funnels that can be fixed. This system captures rainwater for irrigation and other uses, promoting sustainability. While current plans do not include roof greening or lighting, these aspects could enhance comfort and efficiency. Only minimal, safe illuminations are considered.

North Rhine-Westphalia is generally not prone to earthquakes as it is not in a seismically active zone; however, earthquakes can occasionally occur. Rail traffic vibrations can also be dismissed as a concern.

Both horizontal and vertical installation guidance significantly impacts a building's supporting structure. Proper planning is essential to ensure installations like pipelines and wiring do not impede structural elements and that vertical installations, such as stairs and supports, are integrated carefully. Accessibility for maintenance must also be a priority.

While heat and sound insulation are not priorities due to the open structure featuring a roof but no walls, fire protection is critical. This can be achieved through fire-retardant coatings or treatments for the wooden materials. Although the structure is designed for longevity, the plastic tarp covering may need frequent replacements or cleaning.

The construction utilizes easy-to-dismantle elements and recyclable materials with a biodegradable, waterproof tarp. No traces will be left in the church upon dismantling, preserving its original appearance.

Below, left: Frame construction and material selection, oak wood. Below, right: Requirements for the supporting structure

Load transfers

Below, left and centre: Horizontal load transfer. Below, right: Vertical load transfer.

Floor Plan and Detail Plans

After working on the building's pre-dimensioning and calculating the dead and traffic loads, we concentrated on the atmospheric agents by calculating wind and snow loads. Determining the static systems allowed us to produce a detailed drawing.

The wooden support, a vertical structure made of wood, plays a crucial role in transferring loads within a building. It is designed to safely carry vertical loads, such as the weight of the upper components and horizontal loads, including wind or snow loads, to the ground below. A support shoe connects the wooden support to the concrete beam underneath. Typically made of steel, those support shoes can be attached to the concrete beam through welding, screws, or by embedding it in concrete.

The support shoe is specifically designed to transfer the vertical loads from the wooden support to the ring beam (which is made of concrete) while ensuring a stable connection. This is accomplished by carefully dimensioning and positioning the support shoe to withstand the applied loads. To allow for water drainage and prevent corrosion, the support shoe is often installed so that it slightly protrudes from the concrete beam.

Additionally, a ring beam is commonly used to enhance the structure's overall stability and distribute loads evenly on the substrate. This horizontally running concrete beam encircles the upper ends of the wooden supports, connecting them. The ring beam helps absorb the forces from the loads and safely transfers them to the foundation or subsoil.

1. Final Draft and Analysis

APRIL 2024

Concept

Structure

Project

Conclusion

The project we worked on was also showcased in an article by the architecture website BauNetz CAMPUS: Please visit the website here