Haus der GESuntheit

Heiden (DE)

With the redesign of the old church square in the center of Heiden, in Westphalia, Thesing & Thesing Architekten created a place for the community that has historical references. The roof and façade of the new health center and the pavement of the square are covered with a comprehensive brick skin and are a textbook example of an integral approach to design. The brick of the "Ärztehaus Heiden / Alter Kirchplatz" grading has been specially made for this project. With its highly varied color spectrum, from dark red-brown to violet-red and with coal-burning traces in blue-anthracite, it provides a stable, sustainable atmosphere in the city center.

Maintaining traditions, stimulating a community and seeking simplicity, those are the goals that motivated the architects to resume old structures. In this way the new building blends into the surroundings, as if it had always been there. Seven medical practices and a pharmacy are housed in the health center. In this way, the content of the building and its surroundings are in line with the earlier use of this place as a meeting point.

Because paving, façade and even roof are made of the same material, health center and square form a unique unit. The Hagemeister brick building body and shell enter into a smooth dialogue. The warm brick reflects the sunlight and evokes a peaceful atmosphere.

Until the 1970s, the center had an iconic neo-Gothic church. The architects used the contours of the new health center to embrace the proportions of the original church building and to take us back to the ancient urban structures. Because the center and square are embedded in the material that also determines the image of the village, the relationship with the surrounding buildings has also been successfully realized. For Professor Manuel Thesing it was obvious to use a historical building material from the area around Heiden and thus restore the square to its original character. Because the sustainable brick connects the past of the village with directional sustainability for the future.

Architect: Thesing & Thesing Architekten BDA

Photos: Thesing & Thesing Architekten BDA,

Supplier: Hagemeister GmbH & Co. KG