Schulz & Schulz Der autarke Raum

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Ansgar and Benedikt Schulz established their firm in Leipzig in 1992. Since then, they participated successfully in several architectural competitions. Among their winning projects are: the cafeteria and conference building AKNZ in Ahrweiler (2010); the public prosecutor’s office in Ulm (2010); the Catholic provost’s Church of St. Trinitatis in Leipzig (2009); the Technical University Berlin research center for mechanical engineering and computer science (2009); the Hotelfachschule Berlin (2008); and the police station Chemnitz-Süd (2005).

The partners’ biographical connection and the fact that they attended the same college (RTWH Aachen) formed the basis of their architecture. Characteristics such as precision and the absence of embellishment, their shared enthusiasm for soccer in the Ruhr Area, and influences from Spain and South America make their architecture unique. Specific questioning of the task and a precise use of design elements are central features of their work.

The Catholic provost’s Church of St. Trinitatis in Leipzig is currently under construction. The building design was based on the organism of the city. Its striking shape, the church building with its high church tower and an open structured vicarage inviting the public to enter, attract a great deal of interest. A special atmosphere is created inside the sanctuary through the light from the sky and the interaction with the city. The external shell, made of Rochlitzer porphyry, shows the buildings connection to its environment and traditional design. A custom-made concept of sustainability allows the church to be a place of refuge and assembly not only in good times, but also in times of crisis. Furthermore, it ensures that there is no limit to the period of use. In order to guarantee this, the concept of self-sufficiency became an important matter during the planning process.

The idea of self-contained locations also became the exhibition concept. The common usage of the room is reversed. Gallery walls remain empty and the space becomes the stage for a room-filling sculpture. An 8-meter-wide, 2-meter-high and 1-meter-thick cube functions as the exhibition space and creates the spatial and sensual perception to allow different views of the project.