House of Youth

The new Haus der Jugend youth center is remarkable, and not only in architectural terms, since the unusual process behind it is also noteworthy: Before the launch of the internationally open, two-stage architecture competition, children and young people (among other things via WhatsApp dialogs) were able to express their preferences and ideas for the new build, and these were then factored in when designing spatial specifications for the competition. This experimental process, like the two phases of the competition, was supervised by the IBA Heidelberg. The IBA also provided advice on matters relating to the spatial arrangement and the organization of the open, international architecture competition, the conception of the open, international architectural competition and design planning for the house and the outdoor spaces.

The Haus der Jugend is deeply anchored in Heidelberg’s post-war history. To this day, older locals remember their first dance evenings in this building, which was erected during the 1950s by the US Army as part of a re-education program for young people. The new build, which replaces the aging building, is likewise an inviting place for young people.

Here, Murr Architekten, from Diessen on the Ammersee, have given form to the concept of openness. They illustrate the building’s varied program through the striking geometry of the principal spaces and their large windows, which slice into the simple yet serene structure. »We were particularly keen to give this building an open-door character, so we opened up the ground floor in all directions – with doors to the café, to the foyer, and to the disco,« says Sebastian Murr. This way, with its varied range of leisure and educational activities, the Haus der Jugend becomes a true engine of integration that not only meets the demands of a 21^st-century youth institution, but also unites young people across all levels of education and age groups through shared activities.