Piperi House Kythnos

The Hyparschale in Magdeburg was realized in 1969 as one of around 74 shell buildings built by Ulrich Müther in the GDR. Since the demolition of the large Ahornblatt restaurant in Berlin, it is the largest surviving shell roof by the late civil engineer from Binz. After a long period of vacancy and thanks to various rescue initiatives, it was renovated by gmp from 2019 to 2024 with a special focus on the interior effect of the shell roof.

The concrete shell consisting of four hyperbolic paraboloids, four regularly double-curved surfaces that are both hyperbolas and parabolas, can be read as organic modernist architecture. The Hyparschale, a popular meeting place in Magdeburg during the GDR era, can be classified as part of the trend of internationally built hyperbolic paraboloids since the 1950s, such as those by Félix Candela, although it also represents an organic and futuristic counterpart to the architecture of the GDR.

After almost 20 years of vacancy, it had fallen into serious disrepair and although the Hyparschale has been a listed building since 1998, it was threatened with demolition in the 2000s. Its demolition was however prevented by a citizens’ initiative and a non-partisan association from Magdeburg, and in 2018, after approval by the city council, the Lord Mayor, the head of municipal building management of the city of Magdeburg, decided to carry out a complete renovation and completion of the interior of the Hyparschale.

Christian Hellmund (Partner) and Stephan Schütz (executive partner) of gmp © gmp · Architects von Gerkan, Marg und Partner

“On the one hand, the new interior gets its special expression from the impressive curve of the roof and the lighting. On the other hand, we have developed a number of details that combine contemporary minimalism with precision craftsmanship. The FSB 1244 lever handle designed in our office also meets this requirement with its minimalist form and pleasant feel.” says Christian Hellmund of gmp.

The choice fell on gmp, whose Doris Schäffler and Stephan Schütz had already distinguished themselves with the construction of the New Tempodrom in Berlin, known for its expressive roof shape, which references the original tented venue.
During the five-year renovation of the Hyparschale Magdeburg, the load-bearing capacity of the completely column-free roof measuring 48 × 48 meters has now been restored. Instead of the shotcrete used in the 1960s, tensile-strength carbon concrete was used for the renovation, allowing the original 7 cm thickness of the shell roof to be retained with significantly higher corrosion resistance.

Two light strips running through the roof structure, formerly glass blocks, were reopened after first leaking and then being reinforced and replaced with clear glass to allow more light to enter. The transparent glass façade was replaced with translucent industrial glazing. In addition, a gallery level with accessible bridges was added, as well as four separable room units in the corners of the hall.
The multi-purpose hall is now used as a multifunctional event and exhibition venue and is operated by the municipally owned company, Messe- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft Magdeburg GmbH. It was not least the decision not to sell the Hyparschale to private investors that ensured that it could be renovated in line with its listed status, thus preserving an important architectural monument of the city of Magdeburg.

The Hyparschale forms an ensemble with Magdeburg City Hall, which is also being renovated by gmp and is scheduled for completion in 2025. FSB 1244, the product family specially designed by gmp for the museum Kunsthalle Mannheim, is installed in both buildings – the glass-clad Hyparschale features FSB 1244 in stainless steel, whereas the brick-built City Hall features the bronze version.