Wirkbau Chemnitz is the former largest factory for textile machinery in Germany. It is in the process of being revitalized into a sustainable working community including start-up offices and spaces for production. The heart and center of the whole development is the 1500m2 roof garden on top of an exhibition hall which is accessible 24/7 to the whole community. People can take a break and have lunch there, but also perform outdoor meetings, lectures, events, and parties.
© Johannes Richter
The one-story building underneath lost its upper story due to bombings in the second world war. This fact allows for the extra load of big trees, which are positioned on top of the columns grid, rebuilding the initial story as a green hall, and tracing the original structure of the building.
© Louisa Schwope
The trees maintain transparency on the roof level whilst offering protection from the sun and views of the adjacent buildings. Each tree was carefully selected and is from a different species. They are individual characters for this place but are visually connected to the forest nearby.
© Ernesto Uhlmann
The undulating pattern of paths offers various walks and creates different pockets of space. Some are planted with grass to lay down, some with perennial flowers or bushes, and some are filled with water-bound pavement, which color is taken up from surrounding bricks, to offer space for furniture or bigger groups. The ground is moving up and down depending on the kind of plantation and its needs. Together with the different heights of plants, it forms a flowing landscape.
Project Info
Architects: Hanna Kosharna, Jenny Kurth
Area: 1500 m²
Year: 2022
Country: Chemnitz, Germany
Photographs: Johannes Richter, Louisa Schwope, Ernesto Uhlmann
Lead Architects: Johanna Meyer-Grohbrügge
Landscaping: Gehrhardt Landschaft
Architects: Hanna Kosharna, Jenny Kurth
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.