Congress Center Hamburg wins architecture prize

The best modern buildings in Hamburg were recognised at the recent city BDA Architecture Awards and the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg picked up one of the three first prizes. The jury selected Hamburg’s convention centre, which boasts 36,000sqm of available space and the city’s mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher presented the award. Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH is the operator of the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg. The BDA is the German Architects Association and every two years the BDA Hamburg honours exemplary architecture in the Hamburg metropolitan area through its Architecture Award, to set quality standards in contemporary architecture. This year, the jury selected projects completed between 2020 and 2022 from a total of 63 applicants in the Hamburg metropolitan area, awarding three equally-ranked first prizes, five equally-ranked second prizes and four equally-ranked third prizes. The architect of CCH – Congress Center Hamburg was Arge agn Leusmann and Tim Hupe Architekten. The jury commented: “With an entirely natural gesture, the new entrance area of the CCH welcomes visitors entering from Congressplatz square with plenty of light and space: In an atrium of dizzying height, a sweeping flight of stairs and galleries grants visitors access to the more than 50 halls and rooms of the CCH, which was Europe’s largest convention centre when it was first completed 1973.” “As operators of the CCH – Congress Center Hamburg, we are extremely excited about this award,” said Bernd Aufderheide, president and CEO, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH. “Thanks to this impressive building, Hamburg has been, and will continue to be a coveted location for conventions. The new CCH helps us further solidify our position, giving Hamburg a permanent place among Europe’s top destinations.” “The modernised and remodelled CCH – Congress Center Hamburg enthrals visitors as a state-of-the-art, light-flooded, appealing building that leaves nothing to wish for. The breathtaking entrance hall is a must-see. It literally draws in the visitors, making them eager to experience more. Plus, the new CCH features spatial concepts that ensure ultimate flexibility. And all that is sustainable and barrier-free,” said Heike Mahmoud, chief operating officer, CCH – Congress Center Hamburg. “We are extremely happy about the BDA award. It was a wonderful task for us to revitalize and develop this venue so close to the inner city, right next to Planten un Blomen Park and the Radisson Blu hotel. A few years ago, this was an almost forgotten place in the back yard of Dammtor station. It is nice to see this venue right in the heart of Hamburg now being a focal point again that attracts visitors from around the world, knowing that our architecture made a significant contribution to this,” added architect Tim Hupe. For more information on the new CCH – Congress Center Hamburg please go to www.cch.de/en/. Photo credit © Hamburg Messe und Congress/Piet Niemann.