From the series "Ecological Solutions - Trends 2024"
Korbach's historic city center was redeveloped as part of a comprehensive revitalization of the district, with a special focus on the city hall dating back to 1377. The project was selected as one of the top 4 finalists for the 2023 German Sustainability Award for Architecture and received the Hesse Exemplary Building Award. The Korbach City Hall is therefore not only a masterpiece of historic architecture, but also an example of efficient use of resources. Recycled and environmentally friendly building materials, including RHEINZINK titanium-zinc, were used in the revitalization of the historic city center.
Saving resources as an afterthought
The revitalization of the Korbach City Hall has set new standards in the context of historical monuments and the application of sustainable building principles. Under the direction of architects from agn Niederberghaus & Partner GmbH, the demolition of the existing 1970s town hall was seen as an opportunity to reuse materials and create a sustainable building. By systematically recording and analyzing the demolition materials, the architects were able to ensure optimal use of resources and achieve the highest possible level of recycling.
The roof of Korbach City Hall with standing seam technology
©RHEINZINK
urban mining concept
The concept involves using mineral building materials from demolition as a source of raw materials for the new building. This innovative approach required careful planning and implementation of a process to recycle building materials from the old City Hall addition building and integrate them into the new building. Choosing the right recycling technologies played a key role in ensuring high-quality reuse of the materials - while minimizing their environmental impact.
Combining the sustainability of natural materials - zinc and slate on the City Hall roof
©Ali Moshiri
challenges and results
The project achieved impressive results, as some 62% of the demolition material could be reused in the new building. Nonetheless, there were challenges, particularly with the bonded composite materials, which deteriorated the recycled materials or were not suitable for use as new. These obstacles were overcome with innovative recycling solutions that made the project a success.
Solving the problem of lingering snow on the roof of Korbach City Hall
©RHEINZINK
Careful dismantling and reuse
The old addition to the town hall was dismantled and all the materials carefully sorted and prepared for recycling. They were then processed closest to the construction site, which minimized logistical processes and transportation costs. Such measures not only made efficient use of existing resources, but also helped reduce the environmental impact. In addition to recycled materials,RHEINZINK titanium-zinc sheetingwas used on the roof of Korbach City Hall, which is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also durable and environmentally friendly.
The Korbach city hall building after revitalization
©Ali Moshiri
RHEINZINK as the perfect complement
For the roof,RHEINZINK prePATINA ECO ZINC sheet metal with a graphite-gray patina surface, laid with standing angle seam technology, was chosen. The pre-patina process ensures a uniform surface appearance already during production and allows for a later process of natural patination on the roof. It is worth noting that during the patination process all the natural properties of the sheet surface are preserved - including the possibility of soldering.
The Korbach City Hall building after revitalization
©Ali Moshiri
architectural integrity and impact on the city
The architectural design of the new city hall takes into account the historical significance of the site and blends harmoniously into the urban environment. The clean form of the addition, with its high gables of slanted roofs, create a connection between the old and the new, emphasizing the character of Korbach's historic center. The recycled materials used on the facade and titanium-zinc on the roof give the building a unique aesthetic and make it an inspiring example of sustainable architecture.
Our design for the new Korbach city center is based on the scale of the city's expansion. Several gabled buildings complement the existing historic buildings, creating a new transportation center with a town hall square and civic forum under a glass roof. They also enable a high-quality connection between the town hall and the traffic routes in the city center, explains project manager Christian Thomann.
The Korbach City Hall is an interesting example of sustainable construction. It demonstrates how innovative approaches and meticulous planning can conserve resources and minimize the environmental impact of buildings. The concept of reusing mineral materials in Germany is setting new standards for the future construction industry. It shows that sustainable construction can be profitable not only ecologically, but also economically.
