“Haus des Wissens”

Bochum, Germany

Architects: CROSS Architecture

Location: Bochum, Germany
Year: 2026
Client: Stadt Bochum
Team: Jan Kranenburg, Maria Benovska, Katharina Heinze, Larina Fassler, Steffen Stupp, Zeju Mou, Yamac Ölcer, Carinne Lobo Rodrigues, Pit Dörrwächter, Marco Engelen
Competition: 2019, 1st prize
Architect: CROSS Architecture
TGA: Walter Maier Ingenieure GmbH
Structural engineering: WSK Ingenieure GmbH
Fire safety: Kempen Krause Ingenieure
Costs: Höhler + Partner
Gross floor area: approx. 11.400 sqm

The EU-wide architectural competition of the city of Bochum, to which CROSS Architecture was invited, envisions the conversion and transformation of the former post office building in the city centre into the "House of Knowledge". A multifunctional building is to be constructed, combining the four themes of the city library, adult education centre, UniverCity and market hall under one roof. The formulated goal of the city of Bochum was to maintain an open, metropolitan meeting place that sets standards for lifelong learning, discovery and experience.

The proposal by CROSS - "A House for All", which focuses on the user and also establishes the roof garden as a Learning Space - emerged as the winner and thus prevailed in competition with numerous internationally renowned architectural firms.