Felix Graf’s design “Constat” incorporates the Yin and Yang symbol in the gable of the Festival Hall in the Garden City of Hellerau. The starting point is the existing Festival Hall with its courtyards to the south and north. The southern side is framed by new buildings, forming the stone Yin, while the green northern side represents the grown Yang. The former barracks blocks on the east and west frame the southern courtyard, and the Dance Company to the north completes this framework.

The two mirrored L-shaped blocks open their facades to the northern courtyard for co-operatively used interior spaces, which are bordered by open green areas. A residential cluster with barrier-free single and double apartments is placed towards the Garden City, with a communal garden in front of them. Exhibition spaces and studios are located in the southern head buildings. The dance rooms are located both in the outer blocks and prominently in the northern courtyard. The two satellite buildings spatially emphasize the role of dance in the Dance Company. With a room height of 9.5 meters and a view of the northern facade of the Festival Hall, these are the central rooms of the Company.

The first two floors accommodate cooperative apartments for singles/doubles, patchwork communities, and families. Each apartment has its own terrace access to enliven the indoor and outdoor spaces. The circulation is provided via the existing paths and stairs within the climate envelope. The cooperative spaces are also connected to the entrances. On the third floor, there is a rooftop garden.

The climate envelope is equipped with photovoltaic modules on the south, west, and east facades, integrated into the glass sheds. Additionally, the climate envelope provides usable intermediate spaces and a comfortable climatic buffer to the outside in the winter. In the summer, the envelope can be optimally ventilated through openings using the chimney effect. The embedded PV modules also serve as shading.

Scene Green Space

The design aims to provide a stage for the green space to the north of the Festival Hall. With its semicircular form, the building frames the open space. A pergola structure and a building-high curtain, which stretches along the inner circle, complement the shape of the circle. The green space within the circle is equipped with various play areas in the form of stages, while the tree stock and natural space largely remain intact.

The curtain, as part of the scene, regulates the degree of interaction between the building and the green space, and between the residents and the public. If a neutral background is desired for the interior of the circle, the building can disappear behind the curtain. Alternatively, if the building is to become part of the scene with the actions of the residents, the curtain can be partially or fully opened.

Behind the curtain, a colonnade forms a threshold between the interior and exterior spaces. In addition to providing access to the interior rooms, it also serves as a space for interaction. Communally used spaces are oriented towards the inner side of the circle.

On the ground floor, there are public and semi-public uses. The focal point of the building is a large practice hall. Covered outdoor spaces serve as practice rooms and communal gathering areas. A colonnade on the first floor leads to the single- and two-story apartments and the communal spaces for the residents. The private rooms in the apartments are primarily oriented towards the outer side of the circle.

The building construction consists of a timber-frame structure. The building opens towards the inner circle through a glass facade. The more private exterior side features a punched facade, with a building-high greenery placed in front of it.

Dance Company Dresden

Published by the Department of Design and Building (Prof. Wolfgang Lorch).

The design task envisions the further development of the ensemble consisting of the Garden City, the German Workshops, and the Festival Hall in Dresden-Hellerau to strengthen the cultural site. The goal is to evolve the Festival Hall as a laboratory for life.

Urban Planning Concept

The existing symmetrical structure of the site is continued. The new building volumes are positioned at the edges of the property. In the center, a green area is created that forms a strong contrast to the southern sand area.

Garden and Laboratory

The cultural garden has traditionally been a green space for action and encounters. This character will be maintained and enhanced. On the one hand, the existing trees will largely be preserved, and on the other hand, a new continuous route will be created through the garden, passing by the various new facilities in the garden. It is not only a communal courtyard for the public but also a living laboratory with various possibilities for the dancers living here. It also provides access to the public functions on the ground floor of the building, such as practice rooms, a library, and a cafeteria.

Dancing in Nature

The practice rooms are located in the existing Panzerhallen (armor halls) in the northern part of the site. These were dismantled except for the supports, and a light wooden roof was built above them. The practice rooms are transparent in the north-south direction, and when the doors are opened, they give the feeling of dancing in nature.

Collective Living

The green arcade with views of the cultural garden serves as a transitional space between the interior and the exterior, as well as between private and public. The wooden panel construction allows for flexible housing types and layouts that can be realized according to the number of residents and their individual needs. Each apartment has a switchable combined studio that can be shared with another apartment.