Germany – Architectural, engineering and planning services – Energetische Sanierung Turn- und Gymnastikhalle Cusanus Gymnasium, Fachplanung TGA

The Cusanus Gymnasium Erkelenz, one of the two gymnasiums in the city of Erkelenz, currently has approximately 1,600 pupils and is thus one of the largest gymnasiums in NRW. The school consists of various building sections, which were constructed from the years 1965/66. The sports and gymnastics hall (TuG) was built in the years 1965/66 and is one of the oldest parts of the school complex. Built as a single-story, freestanding structure, it is connected at ground level directly from the schoolyard. Only the most necessary maintenance measures have been implemented on the sports and gymnastics hall. Therefore, the building's age and a significant maintenance backlog make a core renovation of the hall absolutely necessary. Adjacent to the changing and equipment room section is the gymnastics hall to the south and the sports hall to the north. Both halls are connected by the sports shoe corridor. The existing facility has structural defects. Based on the original use as a boys' only gymnasium, only three changing rooms are available for both halls, which is not sufficient for regular operation. The rooms and passage widths are not designed to be barrier-free. The supporting structure of the sports and gymnastics hall consists of concrete columns, which together with exposed aggregate concrete composite panels form the building envelope. Both the columns and the exposed aggregate concrete panels show extensive cracking and spalling, indicating advanced concrete corrosion in some places. This is also an indication of the insufficient concrete cover, which was widespread in buildings of this period. In addition to the damage to the structure, the exterior walls consisting largely of uninsulated exposed aggregate concrete composite panels and glass blocks are energetically unacceptable. Although the roof surfaces were partially repaired in recent years, a thorough renovation is also necessary here, which would then simultaneously achieve an increased thermal insulation standard. In this context, the lightning protection system is to be renewed, including the down conductors on the facade. Overall, the sports floors in both halls need to be renewed. The hall floor appears to be damaged in its basic structure and is already giving way in some places. Since the sports equipment (bar installations) embedded in the floor also appear to be partially submerged in water, extensive moisture damage to the floor can be assumed. Due to several leaks in the roof and downpipes, the parquet floor of the gymnastics hall is severely damaged.