The city of Braunschweig has announced the single-phase urban and open-space planning realization competition for the redesign of the approximately 2.5-hectare area “Residential and Creative Quarter Großer Hof.” The stated goal is to reintegrate this central area into the urban fabric, create an urban character, and seamlessly incorporate it into the existing cityscape.

Studio AAD, in collaboration with STUDIO CROSS SCALE, has taken on this challenge and developed a concept that draws on the established structures and identities of the surrounding area to realize a forward-thinking and sustainable urban design.

Located in the heart of Braunschweig’s city center, in close proximity to the prominent churches of St. Andreas and St. Katharinen, the “Großer Hof” represents a significant urban building block. The design envisions a neighborhood of short distances that offers high-quality spaces for living and social interaction while simultaneously strengthening the transformation of the city center. The historically grown diversity of the area, with its resilient uses and typologies, is carefully evolved. The new buildings blend seamlessly into the existing urban structure, enabling innovative forms of living, working, and production.

A key aspect of the design is the sustainable use of land as a resource. The proposal integrates the immediate surroundings, including the historic market hall, preserved older buildings, and the listed Kemenate. These elements contribute to the identity of the district and establish connections between the churches of St. Andreas, St. Katharinen, and the Hagemarkt, extending to the “Inselwall” park.

The new neighborhood center serves as a social and cultural anchor for the city community. It provides spaces for intergenerational encounters, political discourse, and diverse communication. The district is characterized by the Generations House, an art gallery, and a multifunctional pavilion. This contemporary reinterpretation of a historic city district offers diverse open spaces and settings, creating an engaging public realm that harmonizes innovative living and working environments.

The neighborhood will feature a broad spectrum of residential options, a daycare center, social facilities, and creative spaces such as studios, an exhibition gallery, and artisan workshops. This lively district promotes an urban lifestyle while delivering a vital impulse for the continued development of Braunschweig’s city center.