Civic Heart Niederwerrn

“MittenIm” describes an ensemble of two new buildings, revitalized existing structures, and a newly designed village square with landscaped outdoor areas. A generous seating staircase invites people to gather and linger, with the community center forming the highlight of the ensemble.

Particular emphasis was placed on circular economy principles and resource-efficient construction. The architecture is defined by a combination of timber and exposed concrete, balancing robustness with a warm, natural atmosphere. Recycled concrete was used for the massive structural elements, sourced from the demolition material of a bridge located around 50 kilometers away. Both the recycling process and further processing took place within the region, keeping transport distances short and significantly reducing emissions. The use of recycled concrete not only lowered CO₂ emissions but also helped reduce construction costs.

Instead of conventional mineral insulation materials, wood wool was used—a renewable resource with a favorable environmental footprint and positive indoor climate properties. Adhesives and foils were largely avoided to enable future deconstruction and clean material separation.

The building is intended as a central meeting place for the community. Inside, it accommodates a civic hall with seating for around 100 people, two multifunctional rooms suitable for weddings, exhibitions, or events, and a café that reinforces the open and welcoming character of the building.