As part of the development of the VIVAWEST model quarter Bergmannsgrün in Dortmund-Huckarde, the completion of the day nursery marks a significant step forward. The facility will open its doors from mid-September, providing care capacity for up to 73 children. SOS-Kinderdorf Dortmund will operate the day nursery.
On the occasion of the official handover of the keys, Sandra Wehrmann, Chairwoman of the VIVAWEST Management Board, acknowledged this development milestone together with Dortmund's Mayor Britta Gövert and other project partners. The building, located on Pothmorgenweg, was constructed almost entirely in timber, allowing it to harmoniously integrate into the modern and sustainable architecture of the overall quarter. The children will be cared for in four groups across an area of almost 1,000 square metres, spread over two floors, as well as in a spacious outdoor area.
Ms Wehrmann stated that the building enables the development of young people in a quarter designed to showcase future-oriented forms of living. She highlighted that this represents the first new timber construction after the modernisation of 122 flats and the addition of 61 extra residential units by increasing building height, forming a solid basis for the approximately 200 further planned flats over the next two years.
Commitment of project partners and communal perspective
For SOS-Kinderdorf Dortmund, this day nursery is its second facility in the city, complementing the family centre on Kronprinzenstraße. Andreas Marder, head of SOS-Kinderdorf Dortmund, emphasised the immediate conviction of SOS-Kinderdorf regarding the project and their anticipation of its commissioning. The nursery offers places for 73 children, 20 of whom are under three years old. Additionally, SOS-Kinderdorf is integrating a residential group into three VIVAWEST flats, which will provide a temporary home for eight children aged 8 to 13.
Dortmund's Mayor Britta Gövert described the facility as adding value to the district. She mentioned that the city's design advisory board had positively received the plans for the nursery and that the result was impressive. The development of the model quarter by VIVAWEST enhances the quality of living and life in Huckarde, with the nursery and its offerings contributing to the district's attractiveness. Jürgen Ellerkamp, Managing Director of Terhalle, highlighted his company's over 20 years of experience in timber-frame nursery construction and emphasised the sustainability, design flexibility, and healthy indoor climate that timber provides.
Comprehensive quarter development and investments
Parallel to the completion of the day nursery, VIVAWEST and SOS-Kinderdorf are planning a modern café, which is intended to serve as a central meeting point and a place for neighbourly encounters. This element is planned for the ground floor of the quarter centre and will be supplemented with further services as part of the second construction phase. Mr Marder confirmed that these plans ideally complement the concept of diverse leisure and meeting opportunities for all age groups in the quarter.
The second construction phase comprises the construction of approximately 200 additional flats, at least 30 percent of which will be publicly subsidised, as well as around 60 micro-apartments and a car park. Construction of this phase is scheduled to begin at the end of the year. VIVAWEST is investing over 100 million EUR in the Bergmannsgrün model quarter with the aim of demonstrating the compatibility of climate protection and affordable housing for all age and demographic groups. The first construction phase, which included the modernisation of 122 flats and the creation of 61 new flats through roof extensions, has already been completed.
