The location of PM5 directly on the river Lorze once had very practical reasons. This is where industry was supplied with energy and water. The river will continue to provide power in the future, even if only symbolically: anyone who lives near water knows about the balancing power of rushing, reflecting water. From the old Papiermaschinenhalle 5 (paper machine hall), you can see the water of Lorze as close as a modern building would ever be allowed. If only all the rooms here could be by the river! You want to bathe with the sound of the river in your ears – and fall asleep, too. All the living areas should be orientated towards the river. The floor plans are designed with this aim in mind.
The flats in Papiermaschinenhalle are organised into two worlds. The entrances, bedrooms and storage spaces are organised as a chambered, dense structures around the stairwell. These are «quiet zones» for individual retreat. The adjoining area dedicated to communal living, on the other hand, has a completely different structure: flowing and connecting, framed by organically shaped fixtures, this part of the flat brings together places dedicated to enjoyment – cooking, eating, bathing and being together.
In contrast to the hall wing, in the preparation wing the load-bearing structure is striking and characterises the space. That is why the flats here are designed as lofts: As an open-plan space with overwhelming height and width and plenty of light from two sides. The beams, pillars and nodes of the supporting structure have plenty of space to unfold their sculptural effect in this open space. Despite their size, the open-plan spaces are strongly structured and thus allow clear functional zoning. This organisation is provided by the flat partition walls, whose powerful movement creates niches here and protruding bodies there. The largest alcove is ideal as a separable bedroom, if this needed and it is not instead preferred to sleep on the gallery.
See also Papieri-Areal, Construction Site B
