Behnisch Architekten

Hamburg’s Chamber of Commerce required a more intensive use of their existing neo-classical building in the city ceerre. The brief for the 2003 design competition anticipated the introduction of additional floor levels within the existing Börsenhalle and a structure which respects the fabric of the historic building.

In consideration of both the structural condition of the listed ‘Börsenhalle’ and the mandatory preservation of its historical features, a new 5-storey structure was inserted into it: a ‘house within a house’ that comprises circa 1.000 m² for new usages and also reflects in contemporary style the building’s long history as a focal meeting point of Hamburg’s business communities.

The new structure occupies a relatively small proportion of the hall in order to preserve its generous spatial character. A business start-up center, consultation, exhibition, club and meeting room facilities are arranged in a sculptural manner. The uppermost level affords access to generous roof terraces.

The structure is composed of layers and planes, where lightness, immateriality and reflection contrast the solid, elaborate walls of the existing building. It unfolds as seemingly free-floating levels and planes that consciously contrast the historic hall’s ponderous stone bulk: here, the soft lines of vaulted constructions, there, the clear lines of the new structure: a bright apparition constructed of luminous, transparent and reflective materials, reminiscent of a glittering, multi-faceted jewel that absorbs and refracts light.

The light, free-floating character of the new extension is complemented and accentuated by a specifically developed LED lighting system.

Client
Handelskammer Hamburg

Architects
Behnisch Architekten
Stuttgart

Structural planning
Wetzel & von Seth

Inspecting structural engineer
Sander

Mechanical plumbing engineer
TPlan Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH
Dekra Testing & Inspection GmbH
Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt

Lighting
Nimbus Group
Ulrike Brandi Licht

Signage and graphics
OCKERTUNDPARTNER

Fire protection
Ingenieurbüro HHP

Surveyor
Peter G. Tiedemann

Geologist
Enders + Dührkop

Electronic
Bredow Gesellschaft für Elektrotechnik mbH

Building engineering
Paul Opländer-Haustechnik

Competition
2003, 1st Prize

Planning and Construction
2004-2007

Gross
1.000 m² / 10,764 sq.ft.