Außenaufnahme Hyparschale Magdeburg

Germany (Magdeburg) | Public Buildings | noraplan® uni

Hyparschale: Revival of an architectural icon

The Hyparschale in Magdeburg has been extensively renovated – with carbon concrete and nora rubber floor coverings

It is one of around fifty remaining shell structures designed by Müther and is considered an architectural masterpiece: the Hyparschale was built in 1969 as a trade fair and exhibition center based on designs by civil engineer Ulrich Müther. It has been a listed building since the 1990s and is an important cultural landmark of the city. After standing empty for more than 20 years, it was extensively renovated and converted between 2019 and 2024 on behalf of the state capital Magdeburg according to plans by gmp Architekten. The aim of the renovation measures was to revive the multi-purpose hall as a multifunctional venue for conferences, meetings, congresses, and exhibitions. Great attention was paid to preserving its characteristic architecture. noraplan uni rubber flooring was used on the upper floor. With its simple elegance, this design classic blends perfectly into the building.

...read more

Lightweight. High performance.

During the renovation of the Hyparschale in Magdeburg, not only was the iconic outer shell repaired, but the interior also underwent extensive renovation. A new spatial sculpture echoes Müther's square basic system. The four cubes, each measuring 15 × 15 meters, are arranged in the corners of the hall and form gallery levels connected by bridges. The entire interior was fitted with new floors – an important part of the renovation concept, which is designed for functionality, aesthetics, and the special structural requirements of this listed shell construction. A visible screed was used on the ground floor. On the newly created upper floor, noraplan uni in a shade of gray was installed over an area of 1,200 square meters. The flooring impressed not only with its understated appearance, but also with its technical advantages. "The rubber flooring is significantly lighter and more cost-effective than exposed screed," explains architect and project manager Ursula Köper from gmp Architekten.

Unjointed installation for an attractive look

The design concept of open space structures with clear lines and flowing transitions characterizes the hyperboloid shell. "The entire upper area, like the hall floor, should appear to be made from a single mold and emphasize the architectural clarity of the space, which is why noraplan uni was installed without joints," adds Köper. At the same time, the rubber flooring meets the highest functional requirements: it is particularly durable and easy to maintain – properties that play a central role in public buildings. "Rubber is our first choice for elastic floor coverings, mainly because of its low maintenance requirements," concludes Köper.

In the listed Hyparschale, the rubber floor covering complements the architectural features of the building not only visually but also functionally.

Data and facts

Building Hyparschale Magdeburg
Owner Landeshauptstadt Magdeburg, Eigenbetrieb Kommunales Gebäudemanagement
Architect gmp ∙ Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner, Berlin
Installation Year 2024
Photographer Marcus Bredt
Innenraum Hyparschale mit noraplan uni
Obergeschoss Hyparschale: Brücken verbinden die Galerieebenen
Obergeschoss Hyparschale: der Bodenbelag noraplan uni wirkt wie aus einem Guss

Products

noraplan® uni

Rubber flooring one-coloured

How to contact us
Flooring Finder
Room Designer
Find nora on LinkedIn