Cultural Center ,Pontebier' Schouweiler (LUX)

project New construction of a cultural center, a versatile meeting place for festivities and cultural events in Schouweiler client municipality of Dippach (LUX), public services WW+, Esch-sur-Alzette (LUX) / Wasserbillig (LUX) Architecture / interior design according to HOAI LPH 1-9 in collaboration with structural engineering TR Engineering, Luxemburg (LUX) technical engineering Betic S.A., Dippach (LUX) gfa 980 m² gv 5.858 m³ total area 0,24 ha planning phase 03/2019 - 03/2022 realisation 10/2020 - 10/2023 photos Linda Blatzek

Facts:

• Additional public building block to strengthen the town centre
• A place for meetings, celebrations and cultural events
• Ballroom for approx. 245 people, with retractable stage, kitchen/bar for indoor and outdoor events
• Multifunctional hall with outdoor area for weddings, municipal council meetings, etc.
• Covered forecourt for events
• Passive house standard (AAA)
• Wood/concrete construction - hybrid design
• Photovoltaic system on main roof towards the park and on the canopy of the forecourt
• Canopy with daylight domes in timber/steel construction
• Rainwater utilisation system

Introduction

The project is the result of an overall concept for a series of urban spaces that are to be requalified and partially dedicated to communal festivities. It is located on Rue de l'Eglise in Schouweiler, in the immediate vicinity of the town hall, and consists of a building for festive, musical and communal events as well as a covered public forecourt for outdoor celebrations.

This project is in continuity with the plans for the landscaping of the municipal park in Schouweiler, which is located to the rear of the building.

Forecourt

There is a public square in front of the main entrance to the building, which is intended for various activities, events and community celebrations (holiday festivities, Christmas market, etc.). The events are protected by the canopy of the building. Underneath are two counters open to the square side, which are available for the sale of drinks and food at outdoor events.

Design

The building is designed as a monolith due to its volumetry with its clear form and the continuity of the lines between the walls and roof. The most complex element of the project is the roof, which lends the building dynamism.

The roof ridge slopes gently to reduce the impact of the building on its neighbours, but also to highlight the importance of the interior spaces through the exterior volume: with the ballroom at the highest point of the roof, then the entrance hall and finally at the lowest point, sloping down to the service areas (kitchen and sanitary facilities).

The façade is made of metal shingles in beige tones, giving the building a high quality appearance. The covered entrance area is made of wood to create a contrast to the beige façade. The wood gives the building a warm appearance and creates a connection to the building's structure.

The façade is wide open to the covered public forecourt in order to create an interaction between the interior and exterior of the building and the forecourt.

The structure of the building is a hybrid construction of concrete and wood: concrete elements (cloakroom, drinks stand) make it possible to reduce the distances between the wooden elements, which determine the aesthetics of the building inside and create warm spaces through the use of wood.