For years, the firm TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten has been committed to sustainable and respectful revitalization. Due to the gradually growing appreciation of existing building stock, an increasing awareness of issues related to sustainability, resource conservation, energy- and space-efficient use, and the circular economy, buildings currently threatened with demolition are increasingly being evaluated for potential repurposing and renovated accordingly.
From an ecological and, above all, an energy perspective, renovation is significantly more sustainable when considering the building’s life cycle as a whole. Every demolition results in the release of “gray energy”—the primary energy expended to construct the building.
The renovation project in Neumuenster presented here is such a project: The load-bearing structure of the former Karstadt building, consisting of three building sections (built in 1951, 1962, and 1978), has been largely preserved.
Through extensive renovation work—involving the demolition of only certain sections of the building—Sparkasse Suedholstein has revitalized the site and repurposed it for an attractive and versatile new use. The usage concept for the renovated building calls for the Sparkasse Suedholstein administration, with approximately 300 employees, as well as the Neumuenster City Library.
In addition, a restaurant will be located along the banks of the Schwale River. Furthermore, the City Library on Großflecken will be complemented by a “Café.”
