NürnbergMesse – New central entrance at the Nuremberg Convention Center

Injecting New Life

Typology trade fair Construction Volume GFA 19.150m², GV 102.300m³ Client NürnbergMesse GmbH Architect kadawittfeldarchitektur Competition Investor competition 1st prize 2007 Award Structural Award 2011 Realisation 2009-2010 Certification DGNB Gold Photography Gerhard Hagen

PDF-Download

#Extension of the existing entrance area and development of a new conference room with 1000 seats to relieve the shortage of space at the Nuremberg Convention Center

Instead of simply adding a further element to the landscape of exhibition buildings at the Nuremberg Convention Center, that has been extended on numerous occasions since the 1960s, the design concept including a 250-metre-long louvred roof creates a landmark with multiple functions: it reorganises the different components at the exhibition and conference centre, gives it a unique look, connects the interior to the exterior space and functions as an urban foyer, which extends from the main approach road via the forecourt, the entrance, the main reception hall to the adjoining park.

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

Urban classification

The former central entrance simply did not meet the necessary requirements: almost unrecognisable from the outside, the low-ceiling entrance area led into a confusing structure of buildings. The new clearly visible louvred roof unites the varied interior and exterior space successfully. It is stretched out like a huge horizontal sail, floating 17 metres above the forecourt and entrance area, and draws the different streams of visitors arriving from the car park, the underground railway station, the taxi drop-off point and bus stop below a weather protecting canopy. As a result, the roof visibly marks the main entrance of NürnbergMesse. It guides visitors into the light and airy central foyer, which provides access to the various exhibition areas, conference zones and adjoining park. The new multi-functional conference room looks as if it is suspended in mid-air within the large central entrance hall.

“One of the major challenges was to complete the project during ongoing operations of the exhibition and conference centre. It was like performing open-heart surgery on a patient that is jogging, which had an impact on both the construction process and the planning.”

Burkhard Floors, Project Manager at NürnbergMesse – Redesign and extension of the main central entrance

FORM ORIENTATION

Site plan fairground

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

Assembly of the roof peak

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

The 250-metre-long louvred roof is the characteristic element which functions as a new focus point with its all-embracing approach in the non-hierarchical landscape of exhibition buildings. The roof that floats like a huge sail 17 metres above the forecourt and entrance area is supported by twelve concrete posts. It draws the droves of visitors arriving from the car park, the underground railway station, the taxi drop-off point and bus station below the weather protecting canopy and guides them into the large, fully glazed entrance hall, which provides access to the various trade fair zones and the adjoining park. The filigree appearance of the roof is achieved through vertical metal fins that are designed to withstand wind forces up to hurricane level. The aluminium clad steel trusses tilt further and further towards the structure’s pointed end until they are almost horizontal. Translucent, lightweight ETFE air cushions span the four-metre-wide gaps between the steel members. Printed inside for solar protection, the roof system produces a daylight atmosphere both indoors and out.

Section through the fairground

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

The sail-like roof, floating 17 metres above the forecourt and entrance area, is supported by twelve concrete posts. It draws visitors arriving from the car park, the underground railway station, the taxi drop-off point and bus station below the weather protecting canopy and guides them into the large fully glazed entrance hall.

Longitudinal section

The concept of the clearly defined, continuous space has also been adopted in the design of the new conference hall. The so-called “Brussels Room” has been raised on pylons so that it adjoins the already existing conference zones. kadawittfeldarchitektur was also responsible for the detailing of the loose furniture, which underlines the significance of the reception area as an attractive and versatile space.

URBAN FOYER

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

The result is an inviting, urban foyer that reorganises the Nuremberg Convention Center from the inside out. The new multi-functional conference hall looks as if it is suspended in mid-air inside the entrance hall. The broad stairway and reception hall not only offer visitors a prime position to watch the hustle and bustle in the entrance area but also direct access to the existing conference zones.

April 24th, 2023

on site

NürnbergMesse - The roof is growing !!!

posted by
Dirk Lange

April 24th, 2023

on site

Visit of the NürnbergMesse construction site

posted by
Burkhard Floors

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

BRUSSELS ROOM

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

Visualisation

An open stairway takes visitors up to the first-floor foyer and gallery zone, which can be connected to the hall by opening the large doors. The space offers views of the entrance hall, the forecourt and the surrounding green but also provides access to a second broad set of stairs leading down into the adjoining park.

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

Visualisation

Photo: Gerhard Hagen

NürnbergMesse - New central entrance at the Nuremberg Convention Center

FORM ORIENTATION

URBAN FOYER

BRUSSELS ROOM