Article source: Max Dudler Architekt

Folkwang University of the Arts is North Rhine Westphalia’s college of art and music. Its main campus is housed in the former Benedictine abbey of St. Ludgerus in Essen-Werden, situated in the southern Ruhr Valley. The small 8th century site was extended into a princely baroque residence in the 18th century, arranged around a magnificent courtyard (Cour d’honneur). The construction of the new library on the south side of the courtyard by the architect Max Dudler replaces a 19th century military hospital building demolished in 1969. In 2006 Max Dudler won the design competition organised by the Duisburg branch of the Building and Real Estate Management Authority, North Rhine Westphalia. The project was generously supported by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation.

Image Courtesy © Stefan Müller

• Architects: Max Dudler Architekt
• Project: Folkwang Library
• Location: Klemensborn 39, 45239 Essen-Werden, Germany
• Photography: Stefan Müller
• Client: Duisburg branch of the Building and Real Estate Management Authority, North Rhine Westphalia Supported by the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation
• User: Folkwang University of the Arts
• Project Manager: Alexander Bonte
• General Contractor: Derichs u Konertz GmbH u Co KG, Krefeld
• General Planners during the Construction Period: Nattler Architects
• Structural Engineers: Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner – Beratende Ingenieure VBI, GmbH
• Building Services: Winkels Behrens Pospich – Ingenieure für Haustechnik GmbH
• Construction Physics / Acoustics: Müller-BBM GmbH
• Building Volumes:
  • 982 m² usable floor area
  • 1707 m2 gross surface area
  • 5603 m3 gross building volume
• Design and Construction Period:
  • Design commenced: 2006
  • Construction commenced: 2010
  • Construction completed: September 2012

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