Stolzenfels Castle infrastructure building Read more

We propose a lightweight, yet highly expressive construction for the multi‑functional reception building at Schloss Stolzenfels. The design consists of six half‑barrel shells that span the existing car‑park and open toward the Rhine and the castle gardens. This framing gives the new construction a distinctive silhouette that rises above the surrounding development, while simultaneously echoing the romantic château, the nearby church, and the broader landscape park architecture.

The interconnected shells lend themselves to a range of uses. Their peak heights are ideal for storing plants during winter, and in summer they can accommodate a variety of functions. The southern shell serves as a sheltered forecourt that can operate independently of the building’s core functions as a resting spot and information hub at the base of the park. From there visitors access the glazed reception area, which is flanked by two narrower shells that house a small café, a ticket office, and side‑rooms. The reception area extends into two wide‑open spaces that are bounded by a third, slimmer shell. Flexible, mobile wardrobe units can be coupled and braced between the timber vaults, allowing the interior zones to be subdivided and reconfigured for specific uses.

What sets the chosen Zollinger construction apart is its composition of identical, small wooden components. These prefabricated pieces are inexpensive, light enough for easy transport, and readily disassemblable. When assembled into a vault system—summed up and resting on edge‑supported columns—the structure subdivides the volume into distinct shells and spans the space with remarkable ease, thanks to its low weight.

To harmonise the open concrete façade of the existing parking structure with the lightweight design, we clad it with translucent perforated metal panels. The pattern of perforation playfully offsets the weight of the original building, creating a cohesive visual dialogue between old and new.