Königsplatz

Kassel, Germany

The aim of the design is the redesign of an important urban element in the center of Kassel.

The Königsplatz site, with its striking urban design, is to be redesigned at the corner with Untere Königsstraße. The existing building will be given a completely new shell in the course of its redevelopment.

The figure of Königsplatz has a clear focal point at the opposite corner of the square to Obere Königsstraße with the Commerzbank building. The essential elements of the design relate to this opposite. Its cubature takes up the proportions and roof figure of the historic building and translates them into a homogeneous stone figure consisting of body and head. The facade and roof are given a uniform natural stone cladding.

Another defining element of the design is the two-story opening of the house to the square. From the existing partial elements of similar construction at the southern edge of the square, a generously glazed two-story entrance and shop window zone develops as a connection to the urban space and a model for possible future redesigns.

In contrast to the northern edge of the square with its single-story entrance areas and the roof forms of the post-war buildings, a new urban building block can be created with both an integrative and trend-setting effect.

The division of the façade into closed and open areas creates the prerequisite for accommodating the desired uses in an adequate manner. The sales areas on the lower floors will have large display windows for maximum transparency. The closed façade sections provide opportunities for advertising space and take into account the structural problems of the existing building. The facade of the office levels combines the demands of the users there in terms of sound insulation, sun protection and lighting into a combination of printed glass louvers, balconies and exits. Behind the natural stone shell of the roof figure, the necessary installation areas for the building services are hidden from the view of the observer from the upper edge of the square.