Located in the German city of Magdeburg, the Hyperschale is a beloved civic landmark – and one of only about 50 still-standing “hypershell” structures designed by innovative structural engineer Ulrich Müther. First built in 1969 but vacant and derelict for more than two decades, this badly dilapidated multipurpose hall has now been comprehensively restored and updated by gmp Architects.

Commissioned by the authorities of the state capital of Magdeburg and carried out from 2019 to 2024, the renovation harmoniously merges new ideas and techniques with the building’s unique original design concept - extending its original functionality as a public event hall and multipurpose venue for generations to come. And originally slated for demolition before the design team uncovered a creative strategy for reuse, Hyparschale Magdeburg is a case study in today’s best practices for sustainable renovation of postwar and midcentury structures – in which extensive use of concrete and high levels of embodied carbon make finding methods of adaptation and retrofitting essential.

A key aspect of the Hyparschale renovation work involved using state-of-the-art carbon concrete technology to restore the loadbearing capacity of the unique roof structure, without adding additional supports that would diminish the architectural expression or historic significance. From a materials perspective, utilizing this advanced carbon concrete allowed the Hyparschale project team to stabilize and even strengthen the extensively damaged existing structure – while bringing material savings of roughly 80% relative to traditional steel-reinforced concrete. The new carbon concrete can also be more easily recycled at the end of its life, setting a valuable precedent for this type of renovation effort.

Inside, new structural interventions meet the local government’s goal of increasing the historic building’s programmatic flexibility and making it suitable for a wider range of uses and events. Respecting the original building’s square grid design (and its use of industrial steel and glass) the project team created four cube-shaped rooms that can be combined for smaller events, seminars, and exhibitions, while the center of the hall retains space for 500 visitors.

Further enhancing flexibility and functionality, a series of pedestrian bridges now connect the cubes, offering additional gathering areas and compelling views of the revived roof structure and its dramatic star-shaped “rooflight” openings, which had been bricked over shortly after the original construction and are now visible to the public for the first time ever. The overall interior program prioritizes adaptability, with the “cubes” designed to be easily dismantled and moved if needed in the future – allowing for the interior environment to change once again with minimal demolition and waste as the city’s requirements evolve.

In addition, efficient mechanical systems are right-sized to require minimal equipment, with the underfloor heating surface also functioning as a cooling surface during the summer. A new high-performance, transparent façade replaces the original translucent industrial glazing, improving insulation and airtightness while also benefiting daylighting and occupant experience.

By combining these new functional concepts with the conservation and preservation of a uniquely important historic building, the “new” Hyparschale illuminates cutting-edge design approaches to saving other post-war buildings at risk. Deploying the latest technical processes makes it possible to save these buildings in their original form, ensuring their continued utility for the public.