David Chipperfield Architects Berlin converted the building complex of former “St. Vincenz hospital” in Paderborn, Germany – originating from a former seventeenth century Capuchin monastery – into Jacoby Studios, a new headquarter for a family-run company, having as main design goal the exposure of the historic building fabric of the monastery once again.

-text by the authors

The former “St. Vincenz hospital” is situated in the medieval town centre of Paderborn next to the western tributary of the Pader Springs. The hospital moved out in 2013 and the existing complex has been converted into a new headquarter for a family-run company. The existing ensemble originates from a former seventeenth century Capuchin monastery. The buildings, which were used as a hospital from 1841 onwards, were severely damaged during the Second World War. Subsequently, the complex underwent several changes and extensions through reconstruction and later modifications.

NEW WINGS IN URBAN CONTEXT © SIMON MENGES

The conversion for the Jacoby Studios involved the removal of the post-war additions, exposing the historic building fabric of the monastery once again.

MAIN ENTRANCE, HISTORIC CHAPEL FAÇADE © SIMON MENGES

In particular, the chapel façade, the cloister, the east building wing and the seventeenth century cellar were preserved and restored, creating a picturesque ruin structure made of quarry-stone masonry with the former cloister at its heart. The complex of monastery and annexes is embedded into a garden designed by Wirtz International.

New extension wings, ranging from two to three-storeys, are arranged in accordance with the orthogonal structure to the north, west and south of the original buildings. Through the historic entrance gate and the former chapel, visitors access the entrance foyer. Echoing the historic situation, the ensemble appears once again in the cityscape as a well-balanced composition of different volumes.

FOYER © SIMON MENGES

In the urban landscape of the Pader Springs, the new complex has its own sense of identity, while maintaining historic continuity.

INTERNAL COURTYARD WITH CLOISTER © SIMON MENGES

Drawings

Facts & Credits
Project title  Jacoby Studios
Location  Paderborn, Germany
Starting date  2014
Completion date  2020
Gross floor area  12.500 m2
Client  Jacoby GbR represented by Ellen Jacoby, Franz Jacoby, Yvonne Jacoby
Architecture  David Chipperfield Architects Berlin
Partners  David Chipperfield, Martin Reichert, Alexander Schwarz (Design lead)
Project architects  Franziska Rusch (Concept study), Frithjof Kahl (Preparation and brief to Developed Design, Design intent details, Site design supervision)
Project team  Thomas Benk, Thea Cheret, Dirk Gschwind, Elsa Pandozi, Franziska Rusch, Diana Schaffrannek, Eva-Maria Stadelmann, Amelie Wegner (Graphics), Dalia Liksaite (Visualisation)
Construction documentation  Schilling Architekten, Cologne
Executive architect  Jochem Vieren (Project management), Michael Zinnkann (Construction management)
Landscape architect  Wirtz International nv, Schoten, Peter Wirtz, Jan Grauwels
Structural engineer  Gantert + Wiemeler Ingenieurplanung, Münster
Services engineer  Köster Planung GmbH, Münster
Lighting consultant, Building physics, Acoustics  Hansen Ingenieure, Münster
Fire consultant  HHP West Beratende Ingenieure GmbH, Bielefeld
Photography  Simon Menges



Check out, also, the James-Simon-Galerie, the new entrance building to Berlin’s Museum Island by David Chipperfield Architects, here!


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