Objectives and Project Description

The City of Erlangen aims to further develop and redevelop the area within the block bounded by Fahrstraße, Südliche Stadtmauerstraße, Raumerstraße, and Henkestraße. This neighborhood is located on the so-called “Axis of Science” between the university’s historic educational institutions (Universitätsstraße) and the future Himbeerpalast Center for the Humanities. Important municipal and state educational and cultural institutions are situated along this axis. The planned redevelopment of the neighborhood with public-use facilities is thus intended to strengthen the “Axis of Science” both functionally and in terms of urban design. The Frankenhof, which borders the area to the east, is already undergoing extensive renovation and is being expanded into the Frankenhof Culture and Education Campus (KuBiC).

To determine whether all desired uses could be accommodated within the limited space, a feasibility study was commissioned in advance. This study was completed in 2021, concluding that the planned uses can be realized on the site. In October 2021, the City Council decided to launch a competition—comprising both a design and a conceptual phase—based on the feasibility study.

The goal of the competition is to build a new sports hall to replace the Friedrich-Sponsel-Halle, which is in need of renovation. This new sports hall is intended to meet the needs of the neighboring Christian-Ernst-Gymnasium (CEG) as well as those of club sports. In addition, plans call for the construction of a two-story underground parking garage, which will be available to both the public and CEG faculty. Other uses to be accommodated on the site include administrative offices (Sports Department), spaces for the City of Erlangen’s recreational facilities, additional classrooms for the CEG, outdoor sports facilities, and a bicycle parking garage. Furthermore, the open spaces are to be designed as openly as possible to facilitate synergies between the cultural, educational, and sports facilities.

Resolutions in the UVPA / City Council

June 23, 2020 – UVPA: Urban Development of the “KuBiC Quarter” – Site between the KuBiC Frankenhof and the Christian-Ernst-Gymnasium; here: Feasibility Study

October 19, 2021 – UVPA: Urban development of the KuBiC neighborhood—area between KuBiC Frankenhof and the Christian-Ernst-Gymnasium (CEG); here: Results of the feasibility study and implementation of an urban planning ideas and design competition

June 29, 2023 - City Council: Reorganization and further development of the KuBiC / CEG neighborhood: Conducting an urban planning, open space planning, and building design implementation and ideas competition; here: Resolution on the terms of reference

Competition Terms of Reference

The competition brief encompassed building design tasks on the one hand, and urban planning and open-space planning tasks on the other. Due to the wide range of desired uses, optimized utilization of the available space is required. From an urban planning perspective, closing off the edge of the site toward the thoroughfare (“Achse der Wissenschaft”) and Südliche Stadtmauerstraße is a key objective.

The City of Erlangen has therefore launched a design and ideas competition covering building design, urban planning, and open-space planning.

Scope of Work: Implementation Phase

• A new triple-purpose sports hall to replace the Friedrich-Sponsel-Halle, which is in need of renovation
• A two-story public underground parking garage (also to replace parking spaces being eliminated on the street and to accommodate CEG teachers)
• Additional classrooms for the Christian-Ernst-Gymnasium (CEG)
• Outdoor sports facilities for the CEG
• Offices for the administration (Sports Department) as well as rooms for a game center with a workshop and storage area
• A bicycle parking garage
• Open spaces: Preservation of the CEG’s open areas (recess yard) with the existing distinctive tree population; permeable design of the building block / public thoroughfare / synergies with the KuBiC Frankenhof

Ideas Phase Brief

In addition to the brief for the implementation phase, the City of Erlangen is seeking ideas for the repurposing of the current Friedrich-Sponsel-Halle, the conversion of the historic building at Friedrichstraße 35, and ideas for the redesign of the surrounding public street spaces.

Competition Procedure

Type of procedure: Single-stage, non-open competition with a maximum of 15 participating firms
3 participating firms pre-selected; EU-wide application opportunity; 12 participants selected by lottery
Expert Jury: Expert judges, representatives of the political factions/committee coalitions of the City Council and the Downtown District Advisory Board, as well as, in an advisory capacity: representatives of the city administration and the Christian-Ernst-Gymnasium

Evaluation criteria:

• Urban Planning & Open Space
• Architecture & Function
• Design & Materiality
• Sustainability
• Climate Protection & Climate Adaptation
• Feasibility & Cost-Effectiveness

A total of 14 competition entries were submitted.
The jury meeting took place on April 17, 2024.

Awards:

The jury unanimously awarded one first prize, two third prizes, and two honorable mentions:

First Prize: Löhle Neubauer Architects + Lex Kerfers Landscape Architects
Third Prize: Bruno Fioretti Marquez GmbH + Studio Vulkan Landscape Architecture
One third prize: stm°architekten Stößlein Mertenbacher + Lorenz Landscape Architects

Honorable Mentions went to:

um-architekt (Ulrich Manz) with JOMA Landscape Architecture
Hähnig Gemmeke Architects + Landscape Planners

Further information on the first prize can be found on the architectural firms’ websites:

löhle.neubauer_architekten
Lex Kerfers_Landscape Architects

Next Steps

A detailed timeline for the next steps is currently being developed and will be announced in a timely manner.
The City of Erlangen will keep residents informed of progress at regular intervals.