The House of Knowledge Bochum, Germany

Object Type
Townhalls & Congress
Working Worlds
Libraries
Schools

Builder
City of Bochum

Architects
Cross Architecture

Completion
2026

Expertises
Thermal Insulation & Energy Performance Calculation
Building Acoustics
Room Acoustics
Audiovisual System Design

The House of Knowledge in Bochum will be a forward-looking education center that unites the city library, adult education center (VHS), UniverCity and a market hall under one roof. The building offers flexibly zoned areas for a variety of uses: Library, seminar rooms, workshops, event areas and studios for immersive audio/video technology and hybrid learning formats.

The rooms are spread across all levels and can accommodate between 10 and 400 people. Existing ceilings were removed and replaced with load-bearing timber hybrid constructions; lightweight floor structures ensure a high level of sound insulation with a low dead load. Mobile, partly transparent partition walls enable flexible room concepts, acoustically adapted to the respective use. The thermal insulation meets the requirements of the BEG 55 efficiency standard to ensure eligibility for KfW funding. The historic brick façade has been retained - inside, an insulation-optimized wall construction, developed using thermal-hygric simulation, ensures energy efficiency.

The room acoustic design also follows inclusion criteria and takes into account the limited building shell heights. High-quality media technology allows hybrid teaching and event formats. Open work areas and library zones were acoustically decoupled using curtain systems, among other things. The spacious foyer also serves as a multifunctional event space.

Image Copyright
1 Cross Architecture
2 Cross Architecture