Something is happening here!

The first place is the home, the second place is the workplace. A third place is a meeting place: centrally located, inviting, open and easily accessible. A place where citizens in all their diversity can stay, meet, educate, discuss, network or simply relax. A third place is consumer-free, i.e. not linked to any commercial interest. People can spend time there without having to take part in specific offers. Another characteristic of a third place is that it can adapt conceptually and spatially to new needs and social developments. Its services and facilities are linked both spatially and organizationally.

This investment is undoubtedly a major challenge for the city's budget. However, in addition to its value for education and culture, the Haus der Neugier will also be a catalyst for the development of the eastern city center. The project is already having a positive impact on its surroundings. Since the planning stage, several vacant stores have already found new operators. Renovation projects in private ownership have also started. This improvement in the retail location will also have an economic effect for the city of Aachen through trade tax revenue.

Separate from the idea of a Haus der Neugier, the city is under pressure to provide adequate premises for the VHS as part of its 'compulsory task of further education'. The bus depot in which it is currently housed urgently needs to be renovated. This refurbishment would take years. The renovation and accommodation of the VHS during the refurbishment would incur costs of a comparable amount, without this being associated with new ideas and the upgrading of the area, as is now possible with the Haus der Neugier.

An essential prerequisite for adherence to the time and cost framework is that there are no more fundamental deviations from the plan. The building application has already been submitted. The further content and interior design of the Haus der Neugier will follow the existing construction and planning framework. External project management is accompanying the process and is also keeping an eye on risk management. Another company is responsible for the general planning. A general contractor then implements the planning. It designs and controls the construction phase on behalf of the city.

The ensemble around the Haus der Neugier is part of a larger urban development process that stretches from Büchel via the bus station to St. Peter. Ideally, an inner-city district with residential, educational, cultural and mobility facilities will be created along this axis. According to the political decision, many new apartments are to be built on the site and around the bus station. How the use of the existing VHS and municipal library buildings will actually develop and in which ownership structures must now be successively clarified.

Once the building application has been approved and the general contractor has been commissioned, work will begin on setting up the construction site. This is expected to be in mid-2027. In order to make the plans for the house visible on site, the shop window area will provide information about the project until construction begins. A large banner on Bädersteig will draw attention to what the House of Curiosity has to offer. Agencies from Aachen are inviting people to participate interactively with their contributions on the subject of curiosity. Their contributions are the result of a competition that was held in 2025.

Demolition makes no sense in terms of sustainability or cost. The city of Aachen bought the Horten building as a gutted shell. This included plans that were also suitable for use as a house of curiosity. Building in the existing building not only saves CO2 emissions, but also time and therefore costs, as demolition would delay the construction phase and also require completely new planning for a new building. Costs for the planning, construction and furnishing of the house would also be incurred for a new build.