Dortmund-Nordstadt „Depot – Arts, Crafts, Media and Neighbourhood Centre“

Context

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In Dortmund (est. pop. 600.000), the council department of works had vacated its main tramcar workshop in 1995/96. The 1915 “depot” building at the edge of the Nordstadt district is listed, mainly because of its filigree steel frame roof construction.

Project description

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In April 1995, private individuals established the association „DEPOT e. V.", a society of fine artists, craftsmen, theatre and media professionals which planned and executed the conversion of the workshop into an arts and crafts centre. Following the project’s inclusion in the international architectural exhibition IBA Emscher Park and a funding commitment from the North Rhine-Westphalia Urban Development Ministry (MSWKS), the step-by-step conversion began.

The new users developed their own spaces. By now, more than thirty members of the association have moved into the shop premises, workshops and restaurants provided. The largest individual function accomodated is the „Theater im depot“. Besides preserving a listed structure and creating jobs, the new arts and crafts centre most of all serves as a public meeting space, hence contributing to the social stabilization of the neighbourhood.

The conversion was largely designed ecologically. As part of the programme „Rainwater Route“, the precipitations from 8.600 m² roof area are reclaimed. A „water object“ was created in the courtyard area and any water not required is percolated in situ. A photovoltaic system with a capacity of 8.400 kWh/a which is being fed into the grid with the compensation helping to reduce operating costs was financed via sponsors.

A qualification initiative for women in construction was started with the project „Handfest“. In addition, large parts of the construction measures were carried out by long-term unemployed individuals taking part in the Dortmund job creation and qualification scheme DOBEQ, which is a Workers’ Welfare Association venture.

Project chronology

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Year	Event
1995	The association “DEPOT” e. V. is founded
1996	Dortmund department of works effectively vacates the building
1996	Project in the architectural exhibition IBA Emscher Park
1998	Conversion start
1999	Award in the competition “Realizing Sustainable Urban Development Projects”
End of 1999	First spaces are ready for moving in
2001	Award in the competition “Realizing Sustainable Urban Development Projects”
Sept. 2001	Official opening

Aims

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• Preserving the depot as part of the living and working environment in the Dortmund district Nordstadt
• Arts and crafts centre as an interdisciplinary, public place of encounter
• Conversion of a listed building that is a characteristic part of the townscape, with its original nature being preserved
• Reduction of future operating costs

Types of measures

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• Listing-compliant conversion of a tram workshop to suit various uses and users who have moved in
• Job creation and qualification options for the long-term unemployed during the conversion
• Rain water utilization for WC flushing and the „water object”
• Construction of a photovoltaic facility on the roof

Assistance provided by the programme “Rainwater Route” (Route des Regenwassers) run by the NRW Ministry for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Agriculture (Ministerium für Umwelt, Raumordnung und Landwirtschaft (MURL) NRW)

Innovations

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The contributions made to the socio-cultural life of the district by dedicated town residents particularly distinguish this project. The private action group for the conversion of a historical urban monument combines social and cultural commitments by creating neighbourhood-related jobs and providing professional qualification options.

Sources

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• Ministerium für Arbeit, Soziales und Stadtentwicklung, Kultur und Sport des Landes NRW (NRW State Ministry of Employment, Social Issues and Urban Development, Culture and Sport) (1999): Nachhaltige Stadtentwicklungsprojekte umsetzen. Landesweiter Wettbewerb 1998 in NRW (Realizing Sustainable Urban Development Projects. State-Wide Competition 1998 in NRW.). Düsseldorf
• Ministerium für Arbeit, Soziales und Stadtentwicklung, Kultur und Sport des Landes NRW (NRW State Ministry of Employment, Social Issues and Urban Development, Culture and Sport) (2002): Nachhaltige Stadtentwicklungsprojekte umsetzen. Landesweiter Wettbewerb 2000 in NRW (Realizing Sustainable Urban Development Projects. State-Wide Competition 2000 in NRW.). Düsseldorf
• Private association „Depot e.V.” Marlies Dauber / Helga Beckmann (1999): "Depot ....". Dortmund
• Depot e.V. (2002): "Deporträt". Zentrum für Handwerk, Kunst, Medien und Nachbarschaft( „Deportrait“. Arts, Crafts, Media and Neighbourhood Centre). n. l.
• Ministerium für Städtebau und Wohnen, Kultur und Sport des Landes NRW (NRW State Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, Culture and Sport) (2001): Initiative ergreifen Projektaufruf für Bürgerengagement und Selbsthilfe, Beschäftigung und Existenzgründung (Taking the Initiative. Project Request for Resident Involvement and Self-Help, Employment and Business Start-Ups). Düsseldorf

Further information

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• http://www.depotdortmund.de
• http://www.freie-kulturzentren-dortmund.de/_depot.html

The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 44147 - town: Dortmund - street: Immermannstraße 39 .

Protagonists

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• Private association DEPOT e.V., coordinator: Claudia Schenk, Immermannstr. 39, 44147 Dortmund, tel. 0231/900-806 and -807, email: depot@depotdortmund.de
• Stadtplanungsamt Dortmund (Dortmund Town Planning Department), contact person: Susanne Linnebach, Brückstr. 20-26, 44135 Dortmund, tel. 0231/50-26417, email: susanne.linnebach@stadtdo.de
• Project "Handfest" for the qualification of women in the construction trades
• DOBEQ, a venture run by the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (Workers’ Welfare Association) for the qualification of the long-term unemployed