Community Center, Am Marstall, Hannover

Competition, 2014

Squares in German cities and especially market squares have always been civic squares. The Bürgerplatz is therefore the supporting basis for this design. The intention is to combine the history of the community center and modern architecture. This new, contemporary community center at the Marstall takes on its defining significance for the square.

Urban planning and architectural idea:
On the one hand, this design addresses tradition: it has a sculpturally designed display side on both sides of the square. It is, if you will, a gable-independent, historically conscious but at the same time modern house on the market. Its characteristics are the size, the high-quality material - here: very light, satin, sharp-edged stone, the equipment and the technical innovations - here: sustainable construction. This design therefore includes all the features that a town house combines if it was and is prominently located in an urban square. This community center consistently takes up a theme from the past: the tracery window. Entirely limited to the gable sides, the theme of the tracery window is further developed into a magnificent, self-confident display façade, which with great plasticity forms a spatial façade that not only enables a varied play of light and shadow, but is also partially accessible. A facade with a long-distance effect that communicates with the open spaces in front of it through its depth and exchanges life. In keeping with the spirit of European urban development with its civic squares, there are commercial areas and restaurants on the lower floors and apartments on the top floors. Consequently, the balconies are integrated into the facade and aligned to both squares - almost like theater boxes from which you can marvel at the goings-on on the city stage. It is an open house that does not isolate itself, but is always visible. While the gable facades are highly sculptural, the longitudinal facades are very flat; two types of stone - almost white and light gray - alternate like inlays on an Italian Renaissance facade.

Spatial organization:
The ground floor has generous glass surfaces as an interface to the public space. In combination with the flexible floor plans, this creates the ideal opportunity to accommodate small as well as larger catering or commercial units. Access to the upper floors is in the middle of the building from the southern side of the property. The central access core is formed by an internal staircase and two elevators. The soft formulation of the hallway areas takes the narrowness out of the vestibules and at the same time creates a contemporary, modern identity. The 1st and 2nd floors are each divided into four usage units of approx. 270m² to 320 m². These are all equipped with their own access from the stairwell and all the necessary adjoining rooms. This makes it possible to rent each unit individually or to combine several units. If necessary, additional catering use on the 1st floor can be expanded into space towards Schmiedestraße without the other usage units losing quality. All usage units are located on the identity-creating gable facades and thus participate equally in the new, positive and modern appearance of the Marstall. Another usage unit and eight apartments are located on the 3rd and 4th floors. Bright, open floor plans with spacious roof terraces and loggias await future tenants at the Marstall.

Facade:
All load-bearing structural parts are located in the insulated interior area. The gable facades are structured in a highly sculptural manner, thus promoting the play of light and shadow. They cleverly conceal the necessary external sun protection and are designed as a prefabricated construction made of light, almost white stone. This is complemented by champagne-colored metal inlays. The windows and glass facades are developed as a post-transom facade made of aluminum or as a window system made of aluminum.