With the sweeping gesture of a grand roof, the Zukunftszentrum on Riebeckplatz in Halle creates a sheltered space where science, culture, and community come together under one roof. The building’s curved silhouette stands out clearly against the city skyline and engages with the diverse ensemble of Riebeckplatz through a narrow, soaring façade that reinforces the central space. To the west, the structure curves in a wide arc toward the public open space with landscaped walking and biking paths.
Despite its impressive size, the Future Center opens up to the surrounding green space with the lightness of a pavilion. Surrounding canopies provide sheltered outdoor areas on all sides. Inside, an open staircase ensemble connects all public floors as a vertical campus—the functions are programmatically layered, from the hall and campus on the ground floor through exhibitions and the learning landscape to the panoramic walkway with a rooftop bar.
The façade is divided into three levels: an outer roof skin of glass panels with photovoltaics, a building-climate buffer zone with sheltered gathering areas, and an inner shell of clay, reed, and wood. The element-based structural system with wood-concrete composite floors is separated from the interior finishes, allowing for adaptation to varying uses. Curated recycled objects in the surrounding city-forest park serve as ambassadors for the center.
