The Harenberg City-Center is a prominent landmark in Dortmund, Germany, serving as the gateway building on the west side of Dortmund Central Railway Station, which often forms the first impression of the city for many visitors. The building features a high-rise tower that define the skyline, a lower annex that became a cultural center, and a central hall that connects the city's public space. Through its concise design, the Harenberg City-Center effectively blends the new and old structures of the city, while bringing continuous vitality to the surroundings.

Established in 1894, St. Barbara Hospital is part of the renowned German medical group KKEL and currently serves as the sole hospital in Gladbeck, North Rhine-Westphalia.

The historical building faced a significant challenge with limited space and insufficient hospital beds to accommodate the growing number of patients. To address this issue, Gerber Architekten embraced the concept of modular expansion and successfully constructed a flexible new building while preserving the original structure.

The entire building is comprised of a 20-floor tower, a 6-floor curved annex, and a central hall situated in between. on the east side, it’s adjacent to the South Square of the Central Railway Station, and on the west side, it’s connected to the representative urban regeneration complex, including the Dortmunder U Centre for Art and Creativity, the Dortmunder U Vocational Colleges, and the entire Dortmunder U Cultural and Art Campus.

The architectural design aims to address the intricate urban fabric in the heart of Dortmund, seeking to engage in a dialogue with the surrounding historical buildings back to the late 19th and mid-20th centuries, while striving to integrate modern design and harmonizing the new and old urban structures.

The Harenberg City-Center, originally the tallest building in Dortmund upon its construction, continues to define the city’s skyline and serve as a gateway due to Dortmund’s strict height regulations in the historical region.

The 73-meter tower commands attention in an open and spacious square facing the station, making it an indelible symbol and lasting memory of the city. Travelers arriving in Dortmund by train often recognize their destination on catching sight of this tower, endearingly calling it the "Haus mit Gleisanschluss", which means "House with Rail Connection".

Alongside the railway tracks on the north side, the tower presents a symbolic modern image through minimalist design.

The precise balance between concrete frames and glass windows results in a distinct interplay of light and shadow on the façade. The understated and generous windows facilitate the ingress of ample natural light, contributing to a warm atmosphere with the wooden interior, and providing the magnificent views of the historical region for everyone.

In contrast to the office tower, the curved annex primarily serves cultural purposes. It functions as a significant cultural hub in Dortmund, attracting renowned international artists to perform in its performance hall. Thus, its distinct shape resembling a piece of cake has led to the popular nickname "Culture in a Piece of Cake".

The curved design of the annex provides a visual contrast to the straight form of the tower and seamlessly integrates with the geometry of the Ring Road, optimizing the utilization of the site. Its façade showcases a horizontal texture by metal plates and continuous windows, establishing a harmonious link with the square concrete windows of the tower, while presenting a distinct image facing the historical region.

Notably, on the east side, a sharp corner of the annex protrudes into the station square, symbolizing the strong connection between the building and the surrounding public space.

The glazed hall, situated between the tower and the annex, serves as the central connecting space within the Harenberg City-Center. Its function extends beyond linking the two buildings in the north and south; it also establishes connections with the outdoor spaces on the east and west sides, fostering a closer relationship with the urban public areas.

This transparent glass structure symbolizes the building's open and welcoming nature, where people can enjoy the surrounding landscape while basking in a pleasant ambiance.

The east side of the hall connects to an open square, while the west side connects to a lively green space. To accommodate the height difference between these two sides, a spacious staircase has been incorporated within the hall. This design facilitates convenient connectivity between different urban spaces and creates an informal area for people to rest and engage in communication.

Throughout the past 30 years, the tower, annex, and hall of the Harenberg City-Center have effectively adapted to evolving functional requirements while maintaining excellent spatial quality. The incorporation of diverse volumes, forms, and materials has been harmoniously combined to create a timeless urban landmark.