Cultural and Media Centre, Pulheim

A town gets a new centre.
An urban ideas workshop entitled »Vision Pulheim 2010« developed a basic and master plan for the centre of Pulheim with the help of four well-known planning offices. The core statement from the town planners was that urban life can only develop in an atmosphere that invites passers-by to linger.

Architects Professor Nikolaus Fritschi and Knut Würfel developed a concept which interwove streets with new square elements. Rather than place another solitary structure alongside the town hall, town hall centre and the Dr.- Hans-Köster Hall, which was completed in 1987, a town centre needed to be created around two buildings. In February 2006, the time had come: the new Cultural and Media Centre was opened in Pulheim. The urban idea of architect Knut Würfel was implemented in a convincing way: the building to the west of the Dr.-Hans-Köster Hall now houses the 1,200 m² conveniently sized public library which holds over 40,000 media. Located opposite to the east is the new centre with foyer and integrated café for municipal cultural events. The simple, modern architecture with large windows openly communicates in all directions. Slim, visible concrete strips structure the building horizontally. The infill was carried out as a high-quality masonry bond with natural stone typical for the region. Vertical concrete columns open up the impressive loggia in front of the event hall. The two new buildings overcome the height difference of the existing buildings with the large steps linking them together. The buildings form a harmonious ensemble with a three-part area. The upper level in front of the Dr.-Hans-Köster Hall provides an outstanding view of the connecting steps and the lower level of the square in front of the town hall and town hall centre with its shops and gastronomic establishments. A row of trees demarcates the outside gastronomy transparently, at a distance of 5 metres from the rest of the square. Most diverse events can take place here on an area of approx. 1,500 m².

The Cultural and Media Centre in Pulheim is more than a new public library and event centre. The town now has an urban core. A great success in terms of town planning, shapes and materials appear bright and pleasant and invite visitors to stroll around and linger in the town. Targeted use of lighting elements ensures that this atmosphere of well-being continues into the twilight. And furthermore, the staggered heights and new cohesion of building and square as a whole are effectively enhanced by this stagelight production.