Consider the angles. The Contrescarpe-Center stands before us. It is a significant building in Bremen. Let’s discover some interesting facts.
The KPS Grundstück GmbH built the seven-story office and commercial building in 2004 to 2006. Oswald Mathias Ungers from Cologne designed it. The building has a staggered story and around 10,000 square meters of usable space. Arcades line the lower two floors on two sides. The Sparda-Bank Hannover has its customer area there.
The facade is geometrically ordered in a grid, typical of Ungers’ buildings. The rectangular window elements create a calm rhythm. Light shell limestone frames the room-high windows. The acute-angled corner views toward Herdentorsteinweg and the Wallanlagen are striking. They are due to the shape of the plot.
The Architekturführer Bremen describes it well. It notes the dominant grid and classic division. The high arcades on two street sides are remarkable. It also mentions a poetic-magical dimension borrowed from Giorgio de Chirico’s paintings. It surprises with its light and airy appearance. This contrasts with other Ungers buildings. It sets a clear urban accent. Together with the hotel building opposite, it forms a modern city gate.
Ungers faced a complex task in Bremen. He had to develop a planning system. This system needed to meet his aesthetic demands. It also had to respond to the site’s asymmetrical conditions. The functional requirements of the building were also important. He noted that the geometry of an irregular triangle is a beastly affair. The result is a seven-story structure. It includes a staggered story at the top. It fully utilizes the property. The height aligns with the opposite hotel. This emphasizes the desired urban gate effect.
Today, the Contrescarpe-Center houses several businesses. A branch of Sparda-Bank Hannover is here. CTS Eventim is also present. Other service providers occupy space. A restaurant operates on the ground floor.
The triangular plot shapes the Contrescarpe-Center’s character. This plot was created by reconstructing the historic city layout. The subtle shaping of the corner situations integrates harmoniously. The resulting “flatiron corners” make the building unique and memorable.
Inside, an atrium spans all floors. It echoes the outer form. Its location unites many paths. It is designed as a walk-through building. Flexible development options arise depending on the use. The ground and mezzanine floors can be divided for small shops. The top floor completes the building. It integrates technical structures and access cores. A large roof garden with southern exposure provides a break area for employees. The facade material is light. It is a sandy artificial stone with natural stone aggregates. It is a modern interpretation of Weser Renaissance buildings.
The Contrescarpe-Center is more than just a building. It represents architectural ingenuity and urban integration. Its unique design and prominent location make it a notable landmark in Bremen. It is a testament to Ungers’ vision.