The Baths in Kalk
In the Köln Kalk district, west of the intersection between Neuerburgstraße and Dillenburgerstraße, stand the historic N70 and N71 factory buildings, constructed around 1850. These buildings have remained vacant due to the relocation of most manufacturing activities to non-European facilities. Today, Köln Kalk is categorized as a “problematic” district, stigmatized by a high proportion of first- and second-generation immigrants, an elevated crime rate compared to the rest of Cologne, as well as issues related to drug use, poverty, poor public services, and a lack of green spaces. In 2017, the city of Cologne launched an initiative to repurpose these former industrial spaces. After the failure of this initial attempt, an international competition was opened to explore alternative uses, ultimately proposing the establishment of a “Museum of Immigration.”
Place
Execution phase
Team
Lecturer
Institution
Köln Kalk
Winter Semester 2024/25
Livia Kinzel, Valëza Halili
Dilan Vural
Technische Universität München
Site Documentation
Map 1935
Source: GEOportal.NRW
Site Plan 1:1000
My project partner and I approached this endeavor by engaging both with the socio-economic challenges of the district and the historical significance of the existing structures. Recognizing that a broad and complex theme such as immigration cannot be adequately represented within a traditional museum—particularly in a setting ill-suited for such a purpose—we instead focused on creating a space for relaxation and regeneration within this dense and tense urban environment.Our proposal repurposes these old factories into a hydrotherapy center.
Urban Strategy
South elevation
North elevation
West elevation
East elevation
The building entrances are located to the west, facing the parking area, and to the north, leading toward the heart of Köln Kalk. The facility is designed for those in need of a place for recovery, swimming, and physical rehabilitation through water therapy. The eastern factory, N71, is designated for deconstruction to make space for a public garden accessible to all. The hall of N70, which covers more than one hectare, retains its red brick facade and existing structural framework, while a rammed earth facade is introduced facing the new garden, blending sustainable materials with the historic context.
West entrance close-up
East facade close-up
Architectural Strategy
Internal circulation within the building is organized through a series of „connection rooms,“ which link the different relaxation areas, therapy zones, and the swimming pool. These rooms alternate with open courtyards, fostering interaction between the various spaces while ensuring a seamless transition from one area to another. This spatial arrangement not only enhances the therapeutic and communal experience but also integrates natural elements into the architectural concept, reinforcing the project’s role as a place of healing and well-being.
Axonometric exploded view of the building
AA section
CC section
BB section
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Sustainability Considering the significant energy requirements of a building of this size, we have focused on minimizing the thermally enclosed space through the use of thick walls and a circulation system that predominantly occurs externally, alongside systems for heat and water recovery, and the integration of a geothermal system.
Connecting courtyard
Swimming-sports hall
Relaxation-introspection zone
Physical rehabilitation room
Overall, Our proposed alternative to the „Migration Museum“ rejects the concept of monumentalism, with the goal of creating a structure that directly serves the local community, rather than becoming a gentrifying tourist attraction.
Furthermore, it prioritizes the preservation of usable elements of the existing structure. In light of the current environmental challenges, we consider it essential to repurpose what has already been built, thereby minimizing unnecessary emissions.
Physical rehabilitation room
Upper Terraces
Relaxation-introspection zone
Relaxation-introspection zone
Axonometric sectional view
sectional model 1:200