New centre combines language learning and linguistic development with movement

Since midday today a topping out wreath has been hanging out on the gable of another IBA educational project. Along with the workforce, project developer GWG Gewerbe, Schulbau Hamburg who commissioned the building and IBA celebrated the topping out in traditional style, signalling the highly visible progress in the construction of the Language and Movement Centre at Rotenhäuser Damm 40.
The Language and Movement Centre is to be a place linking language and movement, where two educational facilities will network with one another. In direct proximity to the Universität der Nachbarschaften [University of the Neighbourhoods], the new building is being erected against an impressive backdrop between the Energy Bunker and  the Rotenhäuser Field in the heart of the Reiherstieg district.
On a plot directly adjoining the Rotenhäuser Field, GWG Gewerbe is putting up a new educational building dedicated to language and movement as a contribution to the Elbe islands’ educational facilities in the Reiherstieg quarter. This forms part of Schulbau Hamburg’s Modell Hamburg Süd [Hamburg South Model] project, a public-public partnership.


Hamburg, 29 March 2012 – ‘Language is the key that enables us to understand other people’s opinions, religions and cultures. With its innovative educational strategy, the Language and Movement Centre is going to have a positive effect on community relations for people living in the quarter,’ said Ewald Rowohlt, Managing Director of GWG Gewerbe in his address at the topping out ceremony.
Starting in the summer of 2012, the planned completion date, the new educational institute will offer a wide range of courses which link language and movement. This approach has been based on scientific studies which show that there are close connections between movement and the motor system and the improvement of linguistic skills. Representing Schulbau Hamburg, Volker Rommel commented: ‘The Rotenhäuser Damm Sport and Movement Centre is one of the special projects that SBH / Schulbau Hamburg is realising in a public-public partnership with GWG Gewerbe, under the auspices of its Hamburg South Model. With an investment volume close to 4.5 million euros, we are creating a complex of buildings in the Wilhelmsburg district offering flexible possibilities of use and boasting a modern and open style of architecture. The new centre will enrich the sporting and cultural opportunities in this part of the city. In keeping with SBH’s guiding ideal of “good premises for good education”, a modern two-field hall is being developed into a Language and Movement Centre for the people of the region, designed in accordance with the most up-to-date educational theories. The flanking buildings include lecture theatres, movement halls and a café.’ 



The Language and Movement Centre has enjoyed support from many quarters. Numerous organisations have offered to contribute to its programme. Representatives of various institutions and societies have formed a steering committee to plan the courses and facilities that the centre will offer.  
The Language and Movement Centre will make an important contribution to the further networking of existing educational institutions and facilities on the Elbe islands, as well as improving the quality of life in the Reiherstieg district.

IBA Managing Director Uli Hellweg is delighted that the design of the Hamburg architectural firm eins:eins – who emerged as winners in the competition by invitation for the commission – is being implemented. ‘With its open style of architecture and its café giving access to the adjoining park, the building opens out into the quarter and offers people living here an attractive educational facility.’  
Speaking in the name of future users of the new centre, Susanne Lages, Network Manager of the Language and Movement Centre, said: ‘I am pleased to see that so much progress has been made with the building, and look forward to seeing future users filling the place with life shortly.’ 



The Language and Movement Centre forms part of the Elbe Islands Educational Offensive, a cross-sectional project of IBA Hamburg. In close partnership with more than 100 educational institutions and advisory bodies, the responsible educational authorities and the District of Hamburg-Mitte, the Educational Offensive is developing an educational environment in which facilities and opportunities for people living on the Elbe islands will be systematically linked.   
In three different sub-regions (Veddel, Reiherstieg and Harburger Binnenhafen [Harburg Inland Port]), concrete projects are being realised with a view to making swift and perceptible improvements in the educational facilities available, while progressively developing the network links between educational organisations.


If you have any further questions, please contact:
SAGA GWG: Dr Michael Ahrens, Head of Corporate Communications
Tel. +49 (0) 40 4 26 66-91 11, e-mail: MAhrens@saga-gwg.de
IBA Hamburg GmbH: Kristina Hödl, Head of the Press Office,
kristina.hoedl@iba-hamburg.de,
tel.: +49 (0) 40 / 226 227 335, or Anna Vietinghoff, Press Office,
anna.vietinghoff@iba-hamburg.de, tel.: +49 (0) 40 / 226 227 - 331 or send an e-mail to presse@iba-hamburg.de.