When it was first opened in 1973, the Congress Center Hamburg (CCH) was considered Europe’s largest congress facility.
Legends of the 1970s and 1980s—such as ABBA, Deep Purple, and Queen—filled it with visitors.
Now, after almost half a century, the building has been revitalized and expanded.
This is especially important for the city, as the facility is near downtown, and in recent years become run-down and—to some degree—forgotten.
Back in 2014, the architectural partnership of ARGE agn leusmann / Tim Hupe Architekten was awarded the project to design the revitalization and expansion of the center.
They apparently did a good job: since its reopening in 2022, the venue’s calendar has been brimming with events.
Tim Hupe Architekten was responsible for the design, approval, and detailed planning.
Tim Hupe says “It was a wonderful task to revitalize and further develop this site close to the city center, in the vicinity of the Planten un Blomen park and the Radisson Blu hotel.”
“A few years ago, this was an almost forgotten place at the back of the Dammtor railway station,” he continued.
“The redevelopment of Dag-Hammarskjöld-Platz and Marseiller Promenade will create a focal point in the heart of Hamburg for visitors worldwide,” Hupe added.
The new building forms a connecting element between the old and new event spaces and connects three situations into one sequence.
The new entrance hall is reached via Congressplatz, and the atrium connects this level with the raised “Belvedere”.
Thus, the entrance and 1st floors form a podium extending the “Belvedere” to the main façade.
The shape of the hall is derived from the urban and architectural context. While its prismatic outer shape is oriented towards the hotel’s appearance, the interior is a place of encounter.
Extensive glass areas connect the interior with the park and are more than just a building envelope — they become a spatial layer.
As such, the façade lends the southward extension of the CCH the powerful appearance to credibly act as a connecting element for the large-volume, heterogeneous buildings of the congress center.
The horizontal ceiling panels serve as a “brise soleil” and mediate between the “Belvedere” and the park by offering views in and out.
All photographs are by Piet Niemann.