Competition Design for UrbanQ in Hannover
Modern Transformation for a Inner City Quarter

Our competition design for the UrbanQ in the city center of Hannover represents a modern transformation and is capable of significantly shaping the cityscape and playing a key role in the development of the district. A 17-storey office tower and a 6-storey hotel with daycare center will be built on a 6,160 square meter site, which together will form the foundation for further development of the entire area. Nestled between Herschelstrasse, Celler Strasse and Brüderstrasse, UrbanQ is transforming a long-neglected area into a vibrant urban district. With its central location, the project not only meets urban planning requirements, but also creates a connection to lively epicenters such as Weißekreuzplatz and Ernst-August-Platz. A formerly isolated urban area will be revitalized and become a vibrant part of the city center.

Our design for the 17-storey office tower features a distinctive “twist” from the 10th floor up, with the facade surface angled in a dynamic curve from west to east. This twist gives the tower a distinctive identity, improves wind flow and minimizes downdrafts on the building. It also provides longer and more intense sunlight, while reducing shading and energy consumption.

The adjacent 6-storey hotel building blends into the neighborhood and creates a smooth transition to the office tower. Of particular note is the “8” shaped floor plan structure, which creates an organic connection between the buildings while creating public space. This design allows the public spaces along Herschelstrasse to extend deep into the district, creating a vibrant and open atmosphere.

The UrbanQ concept combines material efficiency with flexibility. The prestressed concrete hollow ceilings allow maximum adaptability, whether for office use or future conversions; they also conserve resources and can be easily dismantled or reused in the sense of urban mining. A high degree of prefabrication saves time and resources. Reversible heat pumps, natural ventilation systems and PV modules in the façade ensure an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly supply for the entire district. The façade of the office tower combines natural ventilation, sound insulation and energy generation, while the copper-coated elements create a play of light that varies depending on the position of the sun. At the same time, the sophisticated facade system reduces noise from train traffic and allows for natural ventilation.

Congratulations to KSP Engel for the 1st prize!

Design: caspar., MERA, hhp berlin, Schüßler-Plan, Aupers Ingenieure
Awarding authority: meravis Urban Q GmbH
Visualization: © loomn architekturkommunikation