Public record Office Stade

The records building in Stade is the first land registry and archive in Germany which does not cater exclusively for only one German state. The new complex combines the land registers of North-East Lower Saxony and Hamburg. It provides capacity and optimal conditions for the protection of the records using modern equipment, transparency and sustainability. The complex comprises two monolithic structures. The outer appearance is characterized by a rear ventilated façade combining typical local brickwork and anthracite grey ALUCOBOND®. The repository building as well as the public/ administrative building in front create clearly defined spaces, and the main central access route runs through both of them. The large, glass fronted reception area opens up to visitors and provides a view of the foyer and open main staircase. The centrepiece of the complex is the easily accessible five-storey records wing with its 50 kilometres or so of storage racks at the northern end of the site. Planning the records centre was a particular challenge: meeting public needs, climate and lighting requirements. Passive climate control maintains a stable and constant room climate at low running costs. To protect the records from damage due to natural daylight, sunlight or heat, the structure has no windows and is accessed through a double gate system. The walls and ceilings in the records store have not undergone any surface treatment so they contribute to regulating air humidity.

Architects: pbr Planungsbüro Rohling AG, Osnabrück | Germany
Construction: Riveted
Year of Construction: 2013
Product: ALUCOBOND® solid colours Anthracite Grey