Marcel Kraska
Academy of Media Arts - Cologne. FH Aachen (Germany)
Expansion and new center
Situation
The Academy of Media Arts (KHM) is situated in the south of the Cathedral, close to the Rhein. Its premises are spread between the Peter-Welter-Platz, Malzbüchel and Witschgasse. In 1990 it was the first German academy for all audio-visual media. The studies are especially focused on experimental and creative work in combination with the achivement of media-technic competence. Therfore, the academy makes studio, atelier and laboratory work to its top priority. Today the KHM counts about 250 students to whom it can´t provide the essential studios and facilities in the present situation. The purchase of a 2,200 sqm building site enables the academy to resolve that problem. The school can be detached from the widespread and cramped premises, it can improve its network and provide sufficient space for all activities.
Concept “cloister“
The concept of the new building integrates the parish hall and the church itself. The church acts beside its core business also as an exhibition and presentation space for the KHM. With the new building the church will receive an even closer link with the academy. The key-note of my concept is a connection via a classical cloister, which serves as coverage of all functions of existing and new buildings. In this manner a big and eclectic usable inner courtyard surrounded by parish hall, church and the cloister is being created. Analogical to the parish hall, the new KHM-building takes up the proportions of the church and a well balanced ensemble arises. Structures facing the inner part of the original block merge with their low rise and polygonal basic shapes to the surrounding area. At the same time they set up a precise line to the main premises and grant the new KHM-building its necessary autonomy and emphasis.
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