Typology Exhibition center Construction Volume GFA 10.000 M² Client CCS Congress-Centrum Saar GmbH Architect kadawittfeldarchitektur Planning from 2023 Realisation from 2025 Competition 2022 – 1 . Prize
BRIEF Construction of a new multifunctional congress hall in addition to the existing listed buildings. ADDED VALUE The new building is not only a great opportunity for the trade fair, but also creates a green link between the banks of the Saar and the Bürgerpark on the one hand and the city on the other.
Congresshall, Saarbrücken | Germany
The listed Congresshalle Saarbrücken is to be extended by a modern, multifunctional new building for congresses, trade fairs, exhibitions, concerts and seminars. A key feature of the design is the solution of connecting the new building with the old building at city level, without closing the access route from Hoffmannplatz to Bürgerpark. The old staircase between the parking garages along the Bürgerpark and the existing Congresshalle will be replaced by a new, green ramp. In order to achieve a connection between the new and old buildings, the floor plan is not only pentagonal, but the new building is also as flat as possible towards the existing building. Wherever possible in the urban space, the building reaches its maximum height at one point (at Hafenstraße). The new building appears as a friendly solitaire and stands in contrast to the existing building. Its roof contour follows the functions on the outside and the necessary height profiles on the inside, giving the building an elegant and dynamic appearance. The green connection between the Saar, Bürgerpark and the city transforms the location/competition area into a landscape with a high quality of stay and a meeting place for the Saarbrücken public.
Friendly solitaire
The new building has a maximum height of about 15 m (from the level of Josef-Hoffmann-Platz). The floor plan of the new building is by no means rectangular, but rather pentagonal, in order to achieve a connection between the new and old buildings. Viewed from the east, the new volume with a fifth corner in the façade on Josef-Hoffmann-Platz also appears smaller than it is. At the same time, the delta-shaped opening between the existing building and the new Congress Hall points towards the Bürgerpark and the banks of the Saar in the southwest. The new building appears as a friendly solitaire and contrasts with the existing building. Its roof contour follows the functions and necessary height profiles on the inside, which makes the object appear elegant and dynamic. The new building is as flat as possible towards the existing building. In one place (on Hafenstraße), the building reaches its maximum height where this is possible in the urban area.
Visitors are welcomed by a spacious, polygonal foyer with multifunctional exhibition space and a direct connection to the existing congress hall. The view of the forecourt is filtered through the recyclable extruded aluminium profiles. The two 1,450 sqm and 340 sqm column-free halls can be subdivided into rooms of different sizes, allowing for a wide range of different event formats. Behind them are the delivery area and the administration, spread over two floors, as well as other service rooms with direct access and driveways from Hafenstrasse.
Die Besucher empfängt ein großzügiges, polygonales Foyer mit multifunktionaler Ausstellungsfläche und direkter Anbindung an die bestehende Congresshalle. Der Blick auf den Vorplatz wird durch die Aluminiumlamellen gefiltert. Die beiden 1.450qm und 340qm großen stützenfreien Säle lassen sich vielfältig in unterschiedlich große Räume unterteilen und ermöglichen so eine große Bandbreite verschiedener Veranstaltungsformate. In ihrem Rücken befinden sich die Anlieferung und die, auf zwei Etagen verteilte Verwaltung sowie weitere dienende Räume mit direkten Zugängen und Zufahrten von der Hafenstraße aus.
Flexible room layout of the halls
Flexible Raumaufteilung der Säle
Climadesign
Together with the engineering firm Hausladen, a comprehensive energy and sustainability concept was developed for the new trade fair, congress and cultural forum. This follows the guiding principle of maximizing self-sufficiency to minimize energy demand and to cover it completely with renewable energy sources. DGNB Gold certification is being sought. Wherever possible in terms of fire protection and building regulations, renewable raw materials are used: the load-bearing partition walls are constructed using a board stack method, cross laminated timber ceilings are used in the functional areas, the roof structure is also made of wood, and clay brick walls are installed in the seminar and backstage areas, as well as in the office floor.
The fins are designed as recyclable extruded aluminium profiles and the public areas are finished with clay plaster. The basic heating and cooling is provided by geothermal energy. Supplemented by a variety of active and passive measures, the energy requirement is reduced to a minimum and climate-neutral building operation is achieved.
Realization competition
The joint design with GREENBOX Landschaftsarchitekten and Ingenieurbüro Hausladen emerged as the winner of the international competition held in 2022. The jury’s verdict: “The design impresses at this important location in Saarbrücken with many independent solutions and a self-confident architectural language. The building enters into a multi-faceted dialog with the listed congress hall and effectively enhances the public space with its direct access to the Bürgerpark.”
Open space planning
The concept by GREENBOX Landschaftsarchitekten embeds the new MKK in its surroundings and enhances the environment. The listed outdoor facilities of the forecourt will be given a moderate facelift – various planting beds with seating steps will make access easier and ensure an improved microclimate – and the “green canyon” will create a new attractive link between the Saar and Bürgerpark and the city. The measures also include a new green façade on the existing park deck.
