© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

In direct proximity to the historical Nietzsche’s House in Naumburg the Nietzsche Documentation Centre is designed as a place for vivid scientific and cultural discussion of the philosopher, his oeuvre, the history of reception and the difficult relationship between the citizen with his city.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

The two buildings are set into a complementary relationship:

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

Whereas the Nietzsche House contains a modest exhibition about Nietzsche’s life the N_DokZ seeks for an active research and a progressive dialogue and gives a signal for discussion. Located within the well preserved historical city centre it manifests its role architectonically as a fluctuating play of similarity and estrangement.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

Its skin is integrated by mimicry into the roof-scape of the neighbourhood but plays a different role structurally since its surfaces are programmed and accessible.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

The building envelope smoothly repairs the urban block structure, but also acts as an active form creating precise exterior conditions and inviting spatial occasions that tie the urban realm into the ensemble.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

The continuity of the public space penetrates deeply into the building and its inner depth always includes the surrounding. Constantly, the interior spaces interweave with the context: the high city wall acts as the visual border of the exhibition space whereas the lecture hall becomes part of the parcel structure of the inner block. The small town framings of the context are extended and left behind. This is not a frozen state nor a monumental expression but an experience which is revealed in movement and through a multi-perspectival interpretation of the space puzzle. Within those relations the connection of the reading room and the historic Nietzsche veranda has a special meaning. Here, an intimate place for reflection is created through physical parallelism and visual neighbourhood.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

Though being familiar with its surrounding in terms of form and materiality, the documentation centre stands out from the traditional context because of its spatial and structural principles. Distancing and relating back constitute the poles of its behaviour.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.

© SMAQ . Pubblicata il 28 Luglio 2005.