Architect
products & services
paving-stones ● seating-elements
Location
Oscar-Kjellberg-Straße, 03238 Finsterwalde
further information
Nomination for the Brandenburg Architectural Culture Award 2023 by the Brandenburg Chamber of Architects Finalist for the DAM Prize for Architecture in Germany 2025 by the German Architecture Museum (DAM) for outstanding buildings
As part of the conversion of the former Schaeferschen Tuchfabrik into a cultural and event hall, BESCO supplied light-colored belgrano® granite for the outdoor facilities. The design of the inner courtyard is based on the industrial heritage of the location: existing granite paving was retained and complemented with new belgrano® material. In this way, BESCO is making a contribution to the successful combination of industrial history and contemporary open space design.
The history of Kulturweberei Finsterwalde begins in 1845 with the founding of a cloth company by Gottlob Carl Schaefer. The small craft business developed into one of the most influential textile locations in the region. With the construction of Schaefer’s cloth factory in 1853 and the striking spinning mill building in 1889, the ensemble became a symbol of industrial growth. The end of production in 1990 was followed by a careful transformation: the listed buildings were revitalized step by step. With the opening of the Kulturweberei in April 2023, the historic site has been given a new, public use as a cultural meeting place and today combines history with contemporary architecture and open space design.
BESCO supplied light-colored belgrano® granite for the outdoor areas of the Kulturweberei, which is impressive in terms of both design and function. Precisely manufactured paving stones were used in the inner courtyard, whose color and laying pattern are based on typical regional associations and thus take up the historical context. In addition, solid seating elements made of granite blocks were supplied, whose finished surface was specifically tailored to the requirements in terms of feel, use and aesthetics. The natural stone blends harmoniously into the ensemble and supports the subtle combination of listed building substance and modern open space planning.
The belgrano® granite supplied by BESCO also makes a significant contribution to the functional and design quality of the outdoor facilities in terms of accessibility. In close consultation with the Finsterwalde council for the disabled, the barrier-free pathways were designed with sawn paving stones – laid with a narrow joint and provided with a flamed, non-slip surface. A tactile guidance system made of natural stone strips connects the entrances to the area and also serves as a visual and haptic demarcation. The result is an inclusive, user-friendly outdoor space that respects the listed building and meets contemporary requirements.
The Finsterwalde Cultural Weaving Mill has received multiple awards for its impressive symbiosis of historical building fabric and contemporary architecture. The project was nominated for the Brandenburgischer Baukulturpreis 2023 of the Brandenburg Chamber of Architects. Particular praise was given to the sensitive handling of the existing structure, the combination of conversion, renovation, and new construction, and the high acoustic quality. As a finalist for the DAM-Preis 2025 of the German Architecture Museum, the ensemble also impressed with its context-sensitive design, the additive further development of the existing structure, and the precise spatial dramaturgy.
Find out more about the use and range of applications of natural stone.
Pedestrian zones & city squares
