New Hans Sachs House

With the new Hans-Sachs-Haus in the town center, a new town hall with a public citizens’ forum has been created that retains the existing listed brick facade dating from the 1920s. The conversion of the cultural heritage building by the Essen architect Alfred Fischer references the spirit of social change prevalent during the Weimar Republic.

The atmosphere of the interior is primarily created by the interplay between space and the colors and textures of the materials. The citizens’ forum and the rooms of the town hall itself are aligned along the retained historic facade and backed by another row of offices and secondary functions. All areas frequented by the public, such as the consultation areas and the café, are on the ground floor.

Alfred-Fischer-Platz continues on the first floor of Hans-Sachs-Haus as a citizens’ forum. The horizontal strings of the historic facade have been continued around the corner on the wall facing Alfred-Fischer-Platz and, in the area of the foyer, continue in the form of sculptural screening elements that provide shading from the sun. Visitors are greeted by the light-flooded atrium, which is transparent in all directions. The multifunctional citizens’ forum faces the sunny square; the doors of the west facade can be opened for events and concerts. The flowing transition between the internal and external areas reinforces the impression of an “open house” for the citizens.