The Coppenrath Innovation Centre is located on the former freight depot site in immediate vicinity of the River Hase and opposite to the main station. The roundhouse was first completed in 1913 in combination with two turntables. Today the industrial landmark is a listed building.

After years of slumber, the revitalization of the magnificent structure into a research and educational complex with offices and integrated auditorium has given the site an initial impetus that extends far beyond the boundaries of the actual plat and propels a positive impact right into the near city center.

The outer shell of the brick constructed roundhouse has been preserved and carefully restored to preserve its historical heritage and significance. The former steam train garage becomes a symbol of the region's industrial past and connects past and future in a natural, yet confident way.

Das Ensemble ist in drei ebenerdige Baukörper gegliedert, die als großräumige Hallen kreissegmentartig angeordnet sind. In dem kathedralartig ausgebildeten Mittelbau befindet sich das zweigeschossige Innovatorium, eine moderne Veranstaltungslocation, die öffentliche Veranstaltungen für 400 Personen erlaubt.

Next to that two adjoining halls give space for plenty of prefabricated two-storey timber modules that have been parked into each segment of the former repair shop. Similar to the steam locomotives of the past, the wooden boxes line up to the reinstalled turntables. The lower part has individual single-storey modules that allow users and visitors to experience the original hall-like character as a spatial infinity. All modules are designed within a closed BIM-system as a elementized timber construction.

The building cubature with a ceiling height of 8 meters offers massive potential for creating an open-space environment. The multifunctional and communal areas function as a common ground for inspiration, encounters and creative exchange. The timber boxes increase the utilization of the existing space and reduce surface sealing. Warm wood and existing building materials and colors create a great symbiosis of yesterday and tomorrow. As true successor of a industrial legacy, the concept wants to be no more than a practical and aesthetic solution to create the various functional areas within the center.

Preservation of the existing building and modular construction in the interior using renewable raw materials minimize grey energy.

Good thermal insulation through insulation of the opaque components, triple and double glazing with existing glazing in front, airtight construction, optimised night air purge and passive cooling. Storage effects with unsuspended ceilings and the solid supports as well as external sun protection prevent overheating. Floors were activated, serve as surface heating or enable cooling.

In terms of synergy and sufficiency, technical areas and active cooling requirements are minimised by integrating them into the architecture. Combining the architecture with the heat pump system creates an ecological showcase project in terms of resource conservation.

National urban development projects are nationally and internationally recognisable, large-scale urban development projects with significant impetus for the respective municipality or city, the region and urban development policy in Germany as a whole. They are characterised by a special quality standard (‘premium quality’) with regard to the urban development approach, building culture aspects and participation processes, pursue the construction policy goals of the federal government and have innovative potential.