In the interview, Prof. Eckhard Gerber discusses the design of the New Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center – a project that combines architectural clarity with a structural solution that remains a benchmark to this day.
The layout of the fairgrounds follows a Baroque principle: a central access axis flanked on both sides by two halls each, all opening towards the surrounding landscape. A strong connection to the site and the conscious integration into the landscape were at the heart of the concept.

A key feature of the project is the use of a timber-hybrid construction for the halls. The supporting roof structures are made from wide-span glulam elements combined with concrete. The spans reach up to 80 meters – completely without interior supports. This solution was already developed in the competition design and responded to the abundance of timber following Hurricane “Lothar” in 1999.

“Integrating buildings or building structures into the landscape has always been a central concern in our design concepts.”
– Prof. Eckhard Gerber

Read the full interview here: moderneREGIONAL

Screenshot from © moderneREGIONAL