Office: Christoph Hesse Architects | ArchDaily

Open Chapel / Christoph Hesse Architects

Pilar Caballero — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The "Open Chapel" in Hillerhausen, Germany, stands as a powerful symbol of collaboration and serves as a transformative perspective-changer, inspired by the "Open Mind Places" in the nearby village of Referinghausen in the Sauerland region. Drawing from the ethos of openness and inclusivity, the chapel offers visitors a space that fosters both introspection and connection.

House of Knowledge / Christoph Hesse Architects

Pilar Caballero — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:00:00 +0000

The House of Knowledge is part of the 20 Bookhouses Initiative, envisioned to enrich community life across the rapidly growing metropolis of Xinyang, a city of 12 million in Henan Province, central China. Located in Yangshan Park, the project consists of two buildings: a community library with an exhibition hall and a tea house. Between them stretch three small lakes, embedded in a biodiverse landscape and surrounded by the urban fabric.

Stones Water Light / Christoph Hesse Architects

Andreas Luco — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Visitor Centre Stones Water Light at Lake Edersee - The Stones Water Light visitor centre at Lake Edersee, Germany, offers both locals and visitors an open cultural space that fosters a balance between social and ecological sustainability. Located directly adjacent to the UNESCO-listed Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, the centre is designed as a venue for exploring regenerative thinking and action while also honoring the region's rich history.

Tower of Unity / Christoph Hesse Architects

Pilar Caballero — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

The "Tower of Unity" is part of the "Open Mind Places" project in Germany, which aims to inspire visitors' self-efficacy and foster innovative ideas for a regenerative, community-focused future. Initiated by the residents of Referinghausen in the Sauerland, this cultural initiative has expanded its influence across the region, encouraging a meaningful dialogue between people and their environment. By blending art, nature, and community action, it creates a unique space for reflection, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions.

Kollektiv Pavilion / Christoph Hesse Architects

Pilar Caballero — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 01:00:00 +0000

The installation Kollektiv (Collective) is a so-called Reflecting Point, planned and built for Documenta fifteen, the world art exhibition that takes place in Kassel every five years. It is located at Karlsaue, the state park of Kassel. The pavilion is an open place to pause, reflect, and communicate about biodiversity.

Maria Installation / Christoph Hesse Architects

Pilar Caballero — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The installation Maria is a so-called Reflecting Point, planned and collectively built for Documenta fifteen, the world art exhibition that takes place in Kassel every five years.

Karlsauge Pavilion / Christoph Hesse Architects

Andreas Luco — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

This reflecting point is called Karlsauge. It is located at Karlsaue, the state park of Kassel. The installation was planned and collectively built for documenta fifteen, the world art exhibition that takes place every five years in Kassel. It is an introverted place of contemplation and communication where people can meet and exchange thoughts and ideas.

Coal Museum / Christoph Hesse Architects

Andreas Luco — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 02:00:00 +0000

The Kohlemuseum / Coal Museum for documenta fifteen is made of coal briquets. The installation is situated at Friedrichsplatz, the main square of Kassel. It serves as a reflecting point and meeting place for the visitors of documenta, an international exhibition of contemporary art that takes place every five years in Germany.

Heidentempel Pavilion / Christoph Hesse Architects

Valeria Silva — Fri, 07 May 2021 18:00:00 +0000

The Open Mind Place Heidentempel (pagan temple) is a place to rest and to get in contact with nature and people. It is located directly on the popular trail Heidenstrasse (pagan road), a medieval trade route between Cologne and Leipzig in Germany that dates back more than 1,000 years.

Waldbrand Installation / Christoph Hesse Architects

Andreas Luco — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Waldbrand is an installation intended to commemorate the dramatic forest dieback in 2020.

Unterholz and Oberholz Installations / Christoph Hesse Architects

Paula Pintos — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 01:00:00 +0000

Unterholz Installation. This installation is located on the multigenerational square of Referinghausen. In the lower part, seating possibilities for the young and elderly have been cut out from two concrete cubes. During the manufacture, the villagers attached old windows, doors, and memorabilia to the concrete formwork in order to leave a permanent imprint for future generations.

Sonnenklang Installation / Christoph Hesse Architects

Valeria Silva — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 13:00:00 +0000

On the hill dedicated to the annual Easter fire above Referinghausen thrones the Open Mind Place Sonnenklang.

Pflug Installation / Christoph Hesse Architects

Valeria Silva — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 02:00:00 +0000

The Pflug reminisces of the village’s rural origins. Digitized records that tell stories of ancestors’ daily life are reproduced.

Himmelstropfen Pavilion / Christoph Hesse Architects

Andreas Luco — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +0000

These three small pavilions were built on the occasion of the International Day of Biodiversity. This year’s slogan by the United Nations “our solutions are in nature” emphasized “hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature”. (Quote: United Nations Environment Programme, Montreal, Canada, 2020)

"Raum der Stille" City Meeting Place / Christoph Hesse Architects

Pilar Caballero — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 10:00:00 +0000

The "Raum der Stille” (“Room of Silence“), a conversion of a former goat‘s stable, has been transformed, together with the local population, into a meeting place that metaphorically portrays the current generation of green electricity in the city of Korbach.

Strohtherme Pavilion / Christoph Hesse Architects

Andreas Luco — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 02:00:00 +0000

On the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the village of Referinghausen in Hochsauerland, the temporary Strohtherme pavilion celebrates the community´s independency from the global energy market.

Villa F / Christoph Hesse Architects

Martita Vial della Maggiora — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 03:00:00 +0000

The “off-the-grid” house in the central highlands of Germany