The Hamburg-based architectural firm RWHZ has won the competition to redesign the Innovation Quarter in Rotenburg, Germany, presenting an ambitious master plan that integrates historic preservation with modern development. The winning design aims to create a balanced community featuring quiet residential areas, public cultural spaces, and green zones while breaking the district's historical isolation from the city center.
Architect Karin Renner from RWHZ described Rotenburg as having "something romantic" about it, drawing amused smiles from local residents during the public presentation. Her firm's design includes a striking centerpiece building described as a "lighthouse" with an observation deck, though this landmark structure is metaphorical rather than literal and its construction timeline remains uncertain. The comprehensive plan encompasses park and pathway concepts, public areas for culture and community gatherings, and peaceful green spaces for current and future residents.
Sabine Ulrich, managing director of Rotenburger Werke, expressed enthusiasm for the project, calling the master plan "a milestone for the Innovation Quarter." RWHZ secured victory with nine out of twelve jury votes, defeating landscape architects Kortemeier Brokmann from Osnabrück, who had proposed similar concepts. Ulrich noted with relief that "all competition participants understood our requirements," indicating the high quality of submissions.
The winning design addresses one of the project's central goals: liberating the quarter from its historic isolation and better integrating it into Rotenburg's urban life. This reflects changing attitudes toward inclusion, as the era of keeping people with disabilities away from public view has long passed. The plan carefully balances development with preservation, maintaining existing buildings and trees while ensuring new offerings don't compete with the city center.
Renner praised the area's "large, beautiful houses and wonderful trees," though she acknowledged that some trees would need to be removed. The plan calls for demolishing only wooden flat-roof buildings while preserving century-old courtyards like the Kottmeierhof, which will be supplemented with additional structures. The existing festival meadow for events will be maintained and enhanced with a marketplace, multi-age playground, welcome building, and the proposed lighthouse structure, all connected by clear pedestrian and bicycle paths replacing the current unclear routing through the district.
The residential component aims to create a socially diverse community welcoming families, seniors, and single residents. The lighthouse building could house the long-discussed event center for Rotenburg on its ground floor, supporting intergenerational cultural programming. Near Soltauer Street, the welcome building might include dining options and a small supermarket for district residents, though this grocery component has drawn skepticism from some community members given existing nearby markets.
Questions about planned densification were addressed by Rotenburger Werke managing director Thorsten Tillner, who emphasized that increasing housing units in the city is a clear criterion for the Innovation Quarter. The maximum building height will align with the Kottmeierhof's roofline, maintaining architectural harmony with historic structures.
The quarter's development represents a joint effort between Rotenburger Werke and the city, particularly as part of the urban development funding program. The competition jury included architecture experts, Werke representatives, city administration members, and city council participants. Mayor Torsten Oestmann expressed confidence that the quarter's special character will be preserved while acknowledging that the productive phase is just beginning.
Oestmann and Deputy Mayor Bernadette Nadermann emphasized that the winning design won't be implemented exactly as presented in coming years, as this was never the intention. Building projects require developers for whom investments in the Innovation Quarter must be profitable, adding practical considerations to the visionary plans.
Ulrich reflected on the transformation process that began four years ago when the redesign concept was barely conceivable. The current designs provide the foundation for further development, including timeline creation and zoning plans before actual construction can begin. She described the competition as "a gift" that sparked numerous discussions and enthusiasm for future developments while emphasizing the importance of including current residents in the ongoing process.
The architectural plans include innovative parking solutions, with cars potentially housed in a northern parking structure featuring a green facade. Similar structures are planned for other Rotenburg locations to consolidate parking spaces and minimize motorized traffic within the quarter, limiting vehicles to moving trucks and emergency services. This approach would provide unobstructed views of what Renner called "Rotenburger Romantik."
Public exhibition of all competition entries continues through November 19 at the Bildnerische Werkstatt on Lindenstraße 3 in Rotenburg. Viewing hours are Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, allowing community members to examine the various proposals and provide feedback on this transformative urban development project.
