Rhinecampus - A nature campus for visitors and researchers on a decommissioned gravel pit

The central idea of the project is to enable visitors to discover the invisible aspects of nature and the history of the Rhine in an impressive way and to revitalize the derelict site of the former gravel works. At the same time, the project is intended to tie in with the historical legacy of the straightening of the Rhine in order to enable visitors to return to the original meanders of the Rhine. The four museum areas - earth, water, plants and air - are intended to provide visitors with specific perspectives on the exhibition themes and make people's awareness of nature tangible.

The design aims to bring the concept of the historic meanders of the Rhine back to life for visitors. The shifted cubes are intended to stage the meanders in a targeted manner, with a continuous main axis connecting the cubes. The interconnected functional areas should be individually recognisable from the outside. The campus will also connect to the new passenger harbour. The walkways onto the water and into the forest will give visitors a new perspective on the cubes and the landscape. The four museum areas are each arranged in the central cubes, which are arranged upwards towards the centre. The characteristic design concept of meandering is also reflected in the vertical section between the cubes. The high observation tower also forms the high point of the design. The guiding principle of the design and museum concept is to make the invisible aspects of nature tangible. Changing viewing directions, strategically staged orientations and unique perspectives make the landscape and nature a tangible experience. Visitors to the museum are taken past the restaurant into the foyer. A wide staircase leads visitors into the first two exhibition cubes. The Earth and Water exhibition areas are below the earth's surface and offer new insights into the underwater world of the Rhine floodplains and sediment layers through large panoramic windows. A ramp leads visitors along the ascending plant world into the fourth floating exhibition cube in the air. Wooden constructions are planned in all parts of the building above ground level. Regional softwood is to be used and visibly presented to visitors as a building material. The white façade is intended to imitate the green surroundings and the current daylight.