Vocational education campus Bremen Blumenthal

Bremen, DE

How can a school campus help to develop a district?

Vocational education campus Bremen Blumenthal

In the northern German city of Bremen, the former Bremer Woll-Kämmerei site is being transformed into a new campus. De Zwarte Hond developed a vision for this area, with a campus that will accommodate 4,000 students and 300 teachers across five vocational schools. Companies that align with the educational programs will also be located on the site, creating a direct connection between learning and working. Three of the schools will be housed in entirely new buildings, while two schools will combine existing structures with new construction. Character-defining historic buildings will be preserved, and several characteristic features of the original architecture - such as the size of the windows and the shape of the buildings - will be reflected in the new architecture. At the same time, contrast is introduced: the brick façades of the historic buildings will stand alongside the wooden façades of the new buildings. A new pathway connects the campus to Blumenthal station, strengthening its connection with the city. From the station, the former factory buildings that define the campus are clearly visible, contributing to the site’s identity. Along the path, a parking garage will be realized in a sloping building. This creates a grandstand-like space where students and local residents can meet. In summer, the roof of the grandstand can also be used as an open-air cinema; a cultural place to connect at the heart of the campus.

data

Location
Bremen, DE
Size
8 ha
Client
Freie Stadt Bremen
Discipline
Urban Design
Program
Education, Master Planning
Period
2019
Status
Vision

Bremen

Berufschulcampus Bremen Blumenthal

Transformation of a wool processing factory into a campus
Bremen aims to transform the site of the former Bremer Woll-Kämmerei (BWK), in the northern district of Blumenthal, into a vocational education campus with five different schools. The area is also earmarked for commercial development and for crafts and small-scale trade.

Development concept

Connecting to the surroundings

Development steps

Possibilities for use

Historic buildings are given a meaningful new use

A campus connected to the city
De Zwarte Hond’s winning competition design integrates the vocational schools with the companies in the vicinity, the surrounding neighbourhoods, and the rest of the city. Image-defining buildings, such as the former sorting office, will be retained. A new pathway to Blumenthal Station strengthens the connection with the city.