The plant research center, consisting of an office, marginal field labs, greenhouses and integral test areas for modern and digitally optimized agriculture, is to be built on the site of a former equestrian farm on the southeastern edge of the village of Morschenich. For the most part, the various uses will be accommodated in the existing building for this purpose. New additions include two greenhouse hybrids, which will be expanded to include the function of workshop and conference spaces. As a house-within-a-house, they will use the greenhouse as a climatic envelope.
The existing building will be partly extended with roof overhangs as sun protection as well as green roofs and green facades. The volume of the former riding arena is broken through to create clearly defined zones and provide a passage to the guest house. For the guest house, which can accommodate up to eight researchers, an existing neighboring building will be reactivated and climatically optimized with a polycarbonate shell.
A community house for Morschenich’s new residents will be established in the existing lunge rotunda, which, in addition to its small growing area for communal gardening, will provide the growing community with a place for fellowship.
