Don Camillo and Peppone

The Don Camillo+Peppone high-rise buildings have dominated the Detmerode skyline since the 1960s. With 13 and 23 storeys, they are visible far beyond the district. NEULAND has set itself the task of preserving these two landmarks and giving them a new look.

The buildings have been completely gutted and are being rebuilt around the existing shell. This will create 212 modern flats with contemporary floor plans, barrier-free access and spacious, brand-new balconies. The new façade with its metal elements is a deliberate reminder of the automotive city of Wolfsburg.

About the architectural designer

The Canadian architectural designer Chris Doray developed the design for the revitalisation. His studio in Vancouver is known worldwide for sophisticated high-rise projects. For Don Camillo+Peppone, he has designed a façade that references Wolfsburg's history with automotive elements. Glass lifts and light-flooded corridors create a completely new living experience in the towers.

Preserving and developing what we have

In the case of Don Camillo+Peppone, NEULAND is focusing on the further development of the existing building fabric rather than complete demolition and new construction. The structural shell is being retained, which means fewer new building materials are required and the ‘grey energy’ already embodied in the existing structure continues to be utilised.

The refurbishment makes a significant difference: compared with complete demolition and new-build, preserving and reusing the existing building fabric avoids more than 70 per cent of the CO₂ equivalents associated with materials and construction. Once the work is complete, both buildings will meet the KfW Efficiency House 55 standard. Compared with the unrefurbished buildings, the calculated final energy demand will fall by 62 per cent; operational CO₂ emissions will be reduced by 69 per cent.