Dittel Assoziierte has revitalised a historical industrial building into a cultural centre through renovation and repurposing. Alongside the existing substance, this includes a new building that acts as a central connecting element and inviting foyer. The site was officially opened as the “Hahnekiez Area” in April 2024.
Dittel Assoziierte has renovated and converted the former Auerhahn brewery in Schlitz near Fulda (Hessen), giving it a new lease of life. The listed overall site is a testimony to past industrial architecture and had not been in use since 1998. The cultural centre that has been created offers a flexibly usable events hall on the ground floor, an exhibition space in the vaulted cellar and room for a tourism office and municipal marketing.
The Auerhahn brewery has experienced an impressive transformation during the revitalisation phase of around two years. Apart from extensive renovation and refurbishment in accordance with heritage protection and fire safety regulations, Dittel Assoziierte created a new building wing that extends and optimises the space. In addition, architectural barriers were removed, enabling access to all parts of the building. An overall design concept takes up the character of the industrial building and forms a coherent collage with an interplay of old and new. The result is a harmonious combination of the carefully restored existing substance, modern architecture and a contemporary design.
The project was funded by the federal and national government as part of the urban development programme “Vibrant Centres”. The new name “Hahnekiez”, chosen by the urban residents themselves, reflects the lively district that is developing here.
Photographer: Martin Baitinger
Archello Award 2024
Cultural area brewery building
Site zoning: New building as a harmonious connecting element between existing building parts
The listed building with a floor space of 800 square metres is accessible to visitors via a generous, modern foyer. The new building refers to the cubature of the building ensemble and thereby integrates harmoniously into the overall setting. The former building wings of the fermentation cellar and cold store, locksmith’s and pressure tank were carefully opened up by Dittel Assoziierte and converted into an imposing events hall. Starting from the foyer, it can be accessed through generously designed portals. With an area of 200 square metres, the hall will offer space for up to 230 persons, depending on the seating arrangement, and is suitable for flexible use.
A symbiosis of tradition and modernity creates a special atmosphere
On the opposite side, the foyer provides access to the cloakroom and into the basement – either via a glass lift or a modern, circulating, steel stairway. A multifunctional exhibition space totalling 535 square metres is situated there, in the around 4-metre-high vaulted cellar, as well as the sanitary facilities, storeroom and technical room.
The 92-square-metre tourist information is accessed separately on the east façade. It provides office space and an inserted room-in-room system with sanitary facilities and a tea kitchen. In the southern part, the cultural brewery is framed by landscaped steps with a natural design, which retain the terrain. The generously laid out outdoor areas open up opposite, where visitors can enjoy spending time.
Cultural area “Hahnekiez” in the bdia Interior Architecture Handbook 2025/26
As an example of the transformation shift, the project combines social participation with architectural responsibility: through sustainable reuse, sensitive treatment of historical structures, and a participatory planning culture.
A place that preserves the past, shapes the present, and enables the future – and is therefore featured in the bdia Handbook 2025/26.
Renovation and repurposing: The future of building lies in existing substance
In terms of concept, Dittel Assoziierte paid special attention to preserving the original character of the industrial architecture and restoring historical elements of the existing building. The buildings resulting from different eras were designed to keep the materials palette deliberately small, in order to create a harmonious overall picture. After renovation and conversion, different eras enter into a symbiosis: There is an interplay between the newly designed surfaces and colours, the spatially defining fairfaced masonry made of brick and the modern form language of added installations.
Material world: durable, high-quality materials
The colour and material concept complements the historical substance and sets highlights within the space through selected accents. Metallic surfaces form a contrast with the mineral materials of the building substance and underline the former industrial usage of the building. Clear, modern forms define the spaces. In order to read the building as an overall ensemble, Dittel Assoziierte used firmly installed elements such as benches, built-in cupboards and functional furniture with a warm oak surface in many rooms. Durable, high-quality materials such as wood and steel were chosen. Acoustically effective installations – such as a console or lamella cladding on the wall surfaces – also set accents and they cover up the technically necessary components such as the ventilation system.
Colour world: Red with contrasting black accents made of powder-coated building components
The colour red is predominant throughout the building, in reference to the existing bricks.
Black accents made of powder-coated building components present an exciting divergence from the historical building, such as the steel stairway into the basement or the acoustic ceiling in the foyer. The modern black elements are used purposefully throughout the building. In addition, the appearance of the interior is defined by the historical roof support structure made of wood in the tourist information office.
The former brewery building has become a high-quality new site that exudes a special atmosphere, which as a cultural venue offers added value for both locals and tourists.
