NHW Award

Bridging Bettenhausen. Connecting districts - experimenting with the city of tomorrow! Densified, social, productive, energy-generating, CO2-negative, green.

The NHW Award 2024 was presented by the Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Landscape Planning of the University of Kassel together with the Nassauische Heimstätte | Wohnstadt group of companies and organized by the Department ofDesign and Sustainable Construction.

The theme of the competition was the bridging of the Bettenhausen and Unterneustadt districts to the center of Kassel.

The competition area is located in the south-eastern part of Kassel around the Platz der deutschen Einheit. The possible scope ranges from individual architectural, landscape and urban planning tasks to designs at district level.

Above all, the focus is on developing innovative, future-relevant themes for the coexistence of tomorrow.

Project by Elina Klett and Tom Stehmann

The design is based on the further development of the Flutmulde as a large, contiguous green space. Unsealing and renaturation create an attractive living space that becomes a cooling recreational area in the city.

• In addition to the wind corridors, many passages and openings - such as open stairwells - ensure good air circulation.
• Targeted diversions of the Wahlebach stream strengthen its cooling effect as a wetland biotope.
• Traffic flows are bundled in mobility and logistics hubs, enabling a largely car-free environment.

At the heart of the design is the Klimahof as a communal meeting place with public facilities, shared flats, co-working spaces and rooms for sport and music.

The Flutmulde is being transformed into a versatile open space for the residents of Bettenhausen and Unterneustadt. The district is thus both climate-resilient and attractive as a place to live and work.

Project by Celina Ebbert and Paul Fleckenstein

The new Kassel East (OSTKAS) combines vegetation and green spaces with water sensitivity and urban structure. The aim is to create a district that meets ecological standards and brings together nature, sustainability and urban coexistence.

Traffic hubs and traffic-calmed streets as well as a bicycle hub and cycle highways enable a car-free district with good connections. Instead of sealed (traffic) surfaces, a green corridor ensures a constant supply of fresh air.

Increased vegetation and the widening of the Wahlebach stream improve water retention. New baffle and slip banks expand the habitat for animals. Wet biotopes and wet meadows allow water to flood meadow areas when it rains.

The research station, the neighborhood square, the "Ostkas Treff" building as well as the café, reading room and winter garden serve as meeting points. They offer residents a variety of opportunities for recreation, exercise, culture and social interaction.

Project by Alissa Kohlstädt, Johanna Sauerwein, Laura Hilverkus and Tom Niemeier

Based on the idea of mycelium growth, the structure of the city develops organically and efficiently: the resulting paths and connections make optimal use of the space and adapt to technological progress, demographic change or ecological challenges.

Biodiversity is promoted by unsealing the flood basin and secured by preserving and expanding the existing biotope on the Wahlebach.

A steel framework forms the main supporting structure, whereby self-supporting intermediate levels made of wood can be clamped in. This creates rooms with varying heights that can be used as living, office, co-working, workshop or sports spaces. The first floors are intended for commercial, cultural or canteen use. The green flat roof with a photovoltaic system serves to supply the district with energy.