Railway Mission - Central Station Hamburg

The railway mission was located in the main building of the Hamburg train station for what felt like an eternity. Now it has been pushed out of there to make way for more profitable uses. In a self-sufficient building between the train station and the art gallery, the social offering had to be rethought:

A large reception desk next to the multifunctional lounge and event room, a room for silence, administration and support rooms, storage and a hygiene center that is unique in Germany were created on an area of 400 m2. A glass façade accompanies a long corridor over the entire length of 40 m, which opens up all areas: reception, waiting room for children, tea kitchen, administration, etc. An equally long mirror, inclined at 45 degrees, accompanies the upper floor and amazes outsiders with a view vertically from above the constant activity of the employees - help is available 24-7, everything is in motion.

Perhaps it is the first time ever that a station mission has appeared so visible in a city. The draft is aimed at recognizing the social need, making people aware of the need for help and showing donors that their generosity is just as successful as it will remain necessary to raise further donations. The house is the self-confident result of a social commitment by Hamburg society. The distress and need for help of individuals should not be met in silence, invisibly or shamefully, but rather visibly and hands-on. Everyone can and should see what is happening here: help implemented spatially and symbolically, presented simply and yet charmingly.