Library and Music School Pforzheim

The main facade of the building is oriented towards the south and to the newly defined boulevard, creating a visual link with the bridge on the river Enz. In accordance with local urban planning rules, the southern facade is slightly rounded with a radius of 70 m. The two southern corners of the building are also curved with a radius of 2.5 m. The dominant facade material is a light-beige sandstone from Spain. The facade is horizontally structured by dark-red, three-dimensional aluminium profiles forming the top and bottom of the window bands. The building is used as a public library and music school.

The central architectural element in the public library is the sweeping staircase leading from the 4.5m tall foyer into the reading room and on to the gallery. This design is enhanced by a large skylight. The music school has a separate main entrance on the western side of the building. A wide staircase leads up to the second floor. What is not visible from the outside is that the music school rooms are arranged around a courtyard for the convenience of teachers and students during the breaks.

Services Wenzel + Wenzel: Site Supervision

Client: Stadt Pforzheim, vertreten durch das Hochbauamt Pforzheim

Design: Hilmer & Sattler und Albrecht Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, Berlin

Project data:
Period of performance: 2000 – 2002
gross room volume: ca. 29,700 m³
gross floor area: ca. 7,200 m²
costs: ca. €15m 

Copyright:
Text © Hilmer & Sattler und Albrecht Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, Berlin
Photos © Stefan Müller, Berlin