Exposed aggregate concrete – unloved, underrated, worth preserving?! Why it’s worth changing your perspective

As part of the energy-efficiency refurbishment of the listed Braunschweig Stadthalle, around 3,000 exposed aggregate concrete façade panels are being dismantled, restored and reinstalled. The technical approaches to this involve quality-focused procurement, digital process control and a phased restoration programme with well-planned construction sequences.

An often underestimated aspect of project management is taking into account the public perception of the project and the complex image of exposed aggregate concrete throughout all processes. In addition to developing technical solutions, those involved in the project thus also act as advocates for the heritage building.

The refurbishment of the Braunschweig Stadthalle is an impressive example of how seemingly unloved architecture can be re-evaluated in technical, design and social terms. From an economic and environmental perspective, this project also represents a sustainable alternative to a new build.

This will be demonstrated in concrete terms using examples from the planning and tendering phase, as well as from the systematic repair of the exposed aggregate concrete façade panels, which have sustained various types of damage.