Reconstruction and Extension of the Hambach Castle and Restaurant 1832
17/10/2013.
By Max Dudler. [Neustadt] Germany
metalocus, SARA REBOLLO
metalocus, SARA REBOLLO
The reconstruction and extension of Hambach Castle in Germany was directed by architect Max Dudler. Similarly to other of his works, the new buildings annexed to the castle are built with local materials and blend in with the castle in order not to distract attention from the main building.
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
General view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
General view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
General view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior stairway. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Interior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Interior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Facade. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Facade. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Restaurante. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Restaurant furniture. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Restaurant furniture. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Site plan. Image courtesy of Max Dudler
Floor plans. Image courtesy of Max Dudler
Floor plans. Image courtesy of Max Dudler
Section. Image courtesy of Max Dudler
South elevation. Image courtesy of Max Dudler
Exterior view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
General view. Photography © Stefan Müller. Courtesy of Max Dudler
Max Dudler was insistent that any additions to the historical building should augment rather than overwhelm the existing structure.
"The architecture should respect the language of the place by coming up with a suitable architectural response to the structure’s existing vocabulary."
Memory of project by Max Dudler
Bearing in mind the building’s almost two thousand year history, his goal was to extend the existing historical structure through subtle means. A balanced architectural whole was created through use of a contemporary style embedded in tradition and history.
During the rebuilding work, Dudler attached great importance to exposing the building’s original substance. The existing walls were painstakingly cleaned, opened up and consolidated, thereby creating both spatial and chronological connections which had remained concealed until then. The new features, made from materials such as cherry wood, sandstone, steel and glass, blend into the space naturally, and all technical elements are well disguised.
The architecture of the castle’s “restaurant1832“ – with its panoramic stone terrace offering breathtaking views – also takes its visual lead from the defensive walls. These walls were strengthened to an extent, resulting in a sculptural building whose dining function also benefits the complex as a whole. The restaurant has many windows which are glazed flush with the interior wall.
These deeply recessed forms in various sizes are distributed like paintings across the restaurant wall, creating sophisticated visual compositions which establish an enhanced relationship with the stunning landscape beyond. The light and rectilinear restaurant harmoniously nestles into the existing historical castle building, providing both an optical continuation of the medievalring wall and a logical evolution of the building’s structural form. Made of local yellow sandstone, these walls heavily influence the site’s overall appearance and it was for this reason that Dudler chose the same material for new construction work.
The concept of “creating a building from the wall” resonates with the building ensemble as a whole. This results in unobtrusive, clean-lined structures which complement the principal castle building, thereby offering visitors a historically respectful reception.
More information
Architects
Max Dudler. Project Manager.- Simone Boldrin. Co-workers.- Patrick Gründel, Julia Werner, Handan Özdemir.
Collaborators
plan-art (Supervision), Ingenieurbüro Schenck (Structures), IFG Ingenieurgesellschaft für Gebäudetechnik (Building Services), ITA Ingenieurgesellschaft für technische Akustik mbH (Physics/Acoustics), Lacher Großküchen GmbH (Kitchen planers), LOMA (Landscaping).
Client and user
Client.- Hambach Castle Foundation represented by Landesbetrieb LBB Landau.
User.- Hambach Castle Foundation.
Measurements
Gross surface area.- 3600 m² (renovated buildings), 1300 m²(new buildings).
Gross building volume.- 15,500 m³(renovated buildings), 6300 m³(new buildings).
Dates
Construction period.- 2005–2011 (renovation work 2005–2008, construction of new buildings 2009–2011).
Budget
Total building cost.- approx. € 20 million.
Location
Neustadt an der Weinstraße. Neustadt, Germany.
Photography
MAX DUDLER
Max Dudler, born in Altenrhein in Switzerland. He studied architecture at Architektur an der Städelschule in Frankfurt with the professor Günther Bock and in the Hochschule der Künste Berlin with the professor Ludwig Leo. At first he worked in the Oswald Matías Ungers office after working with Pete and Karl Dudler in 1986 establishing its own office.
Since 1992 leads its own architectural firm with headquarters in Berlin, Zurich and Frankfurt. After being visiting professor in Venice, Mantua, Vienna or Dortmund, Max Dudler was selected in 2004 as professor of architecture at the Klasse Baukunst der Kunstakademie Düsseldort.
