Second round

Author:
Renee Lorenz, Dipl.-Ing. 
Matthias Poese, M.A. 

Collaborator:
Anders Macht

 

Explanation of the design

Explanatory text

KAESER recharge
New energy for people and mobility

The new KAESER charging station in Bertelsdorf - currently still located on the outskirts of Coburg - is literally a beacon project for a growing district. Located directly on the new route of the 2205 main road (connecting Hildburghausen, Bad Rodach and Coburg) and in the immediate vicinity of the A73 motorway, the new EV charging station offers a unique stopping point and recreational opportunity for visitors and residents of Coburg in this previously rural and industrial area.

In addition to expanding the company premises and the associated infrastructure, KAESER Kompressoren SE would also like to establish a foothold for sustainable energy and electric mobility at the Coburg site, while at the same time offering its employees and the citizens of the region a central, green meeting place close to the city centre.

Concept

The site organisation is technically inspired by its main use as a charging station for electric mobility. It is modelled on the look of a computer motherboard. This is particularly noticeable from above: the centrepiece (equating to the CPU) is formed by the service building and the main energy supply, surrounded by numerous uses such as the vehicle charging boxes (the computer’s external ports) and other contact points on the site, especially in the park. All the functions and the grounds are connected by a network of paths, the arrangement of which is reminiscent of conductor tracks on the circuit board. However, the design of the site as perceived by visitors is anything but technical; nature and natural materials such as wood and glass dominate.

Although the main use of the site is a charging station for electric vehicles (cars, lorries, motorbikes, bicycles), this takes a back seat visually: the almost square green space – crossed from south-east to north-west by the former Christenstrasse and bordered to the south by the Hessenhof catering facility – is characterised by trees, green spaces, paths and places for people to sit. Only the central main building on the highest point of the site stands out: the KAESER recharge hub.

Parking and charging

The charging and parking bays accessible from the new Christenstrasse are limited to the north-eastern third of the site. Due to the rising terrain to the south and south-east, this function automatically fades into the background on the site, but is very visible from the road side. Flexible, modular charging boxes (units of two or four) offer the opportunity to charge electric vehicles. These vehicles parking and charging bays consist of a wood and steel construction in a rectangular shape with rounded corners. They offer protection from the weather and are equipped with everything you need for a short charging stop: each charging point has a charging cable, information display, waste bin, car hoover and cleaning utensils as well as a fire extinguisher for emergencies. The equipment is unobtrusively integrated into the side walls of the charging boxes. The interior of the units is pleasantly lined with wood and a wood-coloured, non-slip floor covering, while LED strip lights around the openings provide lighting. The façade of the boxes consists of black sheet metal cladding, with photovoltaic modules integrated flush on the roof. For better orientation, the parking bays are numbered inside and outside with large illuminated numbers.

In addition to the 60 EV charging points in the boxes (plus the four lorry charging points parallel to the new Christenstrasse), 40 parking spaces without charging function are also available. If the vehicle only requires a little charging time or users just want to stretch their legs, they can use the recreation areas located directly next to the car park with trees and seating.

Path to the KAESER recharge hub

If the charging process takes longer or a longer stay is planned, the service building is not far away. The roofed paths covered with PV glass allow you to get there on dry ground even in rain or snow.

The topography of the facility is modelled on the natural terrain and the existing height difference can be easily overcome without barriers thanks to the long, only moderately ascending paths.

KAESER recharge hub

All routes lead to or past the three-storey service building as the central contact point. However, only the upper two floors are visible: a solid ground floor and a translucent, light-coloured upper floor with a square floor plan. This cube with rounded corners defines the design style for the entire area. The upper floor is clad in metal mesh (translucent PV on the roof), which serves as sun protection during the day and, when illuminated at night, becomes a recognisable feature of the entire complex with the maximum long-distance effect.

KAESER recharge hub - ground floor level

Entrances on all four sides of the building lead into the foyer with the central service cube. While the EVs are supplied with energy in the charging boxes, travellers can recharge their own batteries here, with food and drinks and comfortable seating. There are vending machines with culinary offers for self-service in the foyer and in the central core, as well as information about KAESER Kompressoren, the park and Coburg. The four quadrants of the ground floor contain seating niches, additional vending machines and vertical access: A lift and stairs connect the three floors.

KAESER recharge hub - upper floor

The spacious upper floor – connected to the lower foyer by an air space – offers additional seating options. Here you can enjoy the view of the KAESER site, the Coburg Fortress and the natural surroundings of the neighbouring Goldbergsee lake, or be entertained and informed by the seemingly floating media cube. The upper floor in particular can be used multifunctionally: as an exhibition or lecture room, depending on the furnishings.

KAESER recharge hub – basement, technology, yard

Stairs or the lift provide barrier-free access to the basement, where there are sufficient sanitary facilities with showers. Invisible to the visitor, the technical and storage rooms required for the charging park are located in the basement. Like the transformers, these can be reached via a (semi-covered and therefore shielded) depot at basement level to the east with access for delivery vehicles. The facility’s supply and waste disposal services are also concealed here, with access directly via the car park.

Construction phases and flexibility

The first construction phase includes the entrance and exit, the service building and the first charging boxes. The system can easily be extended or divided into further sections. More charging modules can be added as required. The concept can also be easily transferred to other locations or situations around the world.

Park

If visitors or travellers do not wish to stay in the recharge hub or if they are already sufficiently catered for, they can use the neighbourhood square (with water feature and outdoor furniture), the areas around the building or the park to the south-west. By analogy with the computer board, paths lead from the main complex to smaller devices and functions. Here you will find a playground, sports facilities, covered pavilions with seating as well as bicycle parking and e-bike charging facilities. There are also open meadows and play areas, as well as trees and groups of trees to provide shade. The existing barn building owned by the City of Coburg will be integrated into the use with a playful tone.

If desired, the Hessenhof and its catering facilities will be connected and integrated (e.g. with the park pavilion in the south-west). Accumulating rainwater is fed into the infiltration system in a decentralised manner via open path surfaces and troughs in the green areas. In the lower-lying areas of the parkland, the drainage ponds also serve to absorb heavy rainfall. The valuable tree population along the former Christenstrasse will be preserved and become part of the shady park landscape. Ground sealing is reduced to a minimum. High frequency use primary paths are made of light-coloured and climate-adapted asphalt. Secondary areas and paths are permeable and water-bound.

Connecting paths

Access to the site for pedestrians (hikers) and cyclists will continue to be via the former Christenstrasse on both sides - now as a diagonal path through the site - from the south-east and north-west. The existing avenue of trees will be preserved as far as possible. A new connection to the west to the Goldbergsee lake will be created by a bridge over Glender Straße. Cyclists and pedestrians can thus pass the recycling centre to access the local recreation area around the lake with its bird sanctuary, hiking trails and the Glenderwiese - or in the other direction to the KAESER recharge site.