HUGO-HÄRING-AWARD

The new City Hall in Reutlingen was presented with the 2014 BDA Hugo Häring Award.

Jury statement:
The new City Hall in Reutlingen was planned as a multifunctional building to allow a wide range of uses, following Mies van der Rohe’s universal architectural tradition. The building incorporates a strict rhythm reminiscent of façade motifs from ancient temples. A contextual or proportional connection to the structural environment is perceptible only in terms of height. The rigid structure has a calming effect in the homogeneous environment. The City Hall is unique and distinctive and provides the place and city of Reutlingen with a clear identity. The conscious rejection of regional (town hall) typologies has a liberating effect. The floor plan, which is open on four sides, corresponds with the surrounding, still uncompleted square. Entrance and foyer face toward the historical town centre. The roof terrace offers a delightful range of uses as well as a unique view over the city. The façade, clad in dark brown aluminium is finely proportioned and detailed. The minimalist use of different materials in the interior is pleasantly low key and subdued. Contoured wall panels, made of cherry wood optimise the hall acoustics. State-of-the-art stage technology allows great flexibility. It is a building that surpasses expectations in its high architectural standards, in terms of its function and use, as well as reflecting the spirit of Reutlingen’s economically successful sub-centre surprisingly well.