Refurbishment of the Martin Andersen Nexö cultural centre
The cultural centre in Rüdersdorf is being refurbished in line with its listed status and upgraded in terms of fire protection.
A first construction phase (BA) has been realised to date. This mainly consisted of refurbishing and restoring the listed furniture.
The 2nd construction phase now follows. This has been brought forward from the overall project and has already been approved by the municipal representatives. The reason for the removal is the utilisation of subsidies that have already been saved.
The 2nd construction phase includes various renovation works to the basement masonry, new basement light wells, a renewal of the plaster on the basement wall, a new vertical seal, the renovation of the basement staircase walls and all work that is necessary or required in this context. The building's drainage system will have to be completely renewed and a drainage structure with a corresponding trough will be built in the southern area. As a preparatory measure, the garages currently located on this property will be demolished and disposed of. Various minor pipework and the lightning protection system will be realised in the heating, ventilation, plumbing and electrical areas. Construction site equipment and safety measures will also be necessary, mainly for the furniture already restored in the 1st construction phase. The high-pressure injection process for one of the lift foundations is also necessary, as it will not be possible at a later date.
The work of the 2nd construction phase is essentially limited to the outside area of the cultural centre. The aim is to start work on the 2nd construction phase in March 2026 and complete it by the end of the year.
Immediately after completion of the 2nd BA, the 3rd BA, the overall measure, is to be carried out.
This then includes all work in the interior of the building. The work to be carried out includes fire protection upgrading, which in turn includes the creation of a second escape route for certain areas, the addition of a fire wall up to the roof cladding, the upgrading of the spray mist system in the stage area and the equipping of the building with dry risers and a fire alarm system.
Further work includes extensive thermal upgrading, the creation of barrier-free access by means of various ramps and two lifts, the renovation of all toilet facilities, the refurbishment and refitting of the kitchen, the removal of fixtures so that the hall is restored to its original state, the improvement of the building and room acoustics of all main usage rooms as well as the renewal of the roof coverings of the pitched roof areas and the installation of photovoltaics.
Furthermore, the technical sanitary facilities as well as the electrical power and telecommunications systems will be completely modernised.
All work must always be considered in the context of monument protection and carried out in agreement with the monument protection authority.
The target for completion of the overall construction project is the end of 2030.
Current status as of 29 April 2026
Asbestos contamination was detected during the prescribed sampling of building material from the road running around the cultural centre. This must therefore be completely removed. The search for a disposal company is currently underway.
At the end of April (week 18), the contracted company will be working on the construction site again. A ramp is being built down to plot 124, which will serve as a construction road. Further dismantling and demolition work will be carried out to seal the building.
Work is also currently being carried out on the interior, including the dismantling of electrical cables and distribution boards as well as the demolition and dismantling of masonry to create openings or as preparatory measures.
When carrying out construction work on existing buildings and renovating a listed building from a time when building materials and construction techniques were questionable in terms of health and safety, unplanned and unknown variables can always occur during the course of construction, which can cause additional costs and sometimes even short delays.
Picture gallery
from the handover of funding in February 2026 to the current construction progress