Theater and Congress Hall, Weimar
Weimar, Germany
GMP Architekten

A transparent volume melds with the surrounding inner city

© PUNCTUM/H.-Chr. Schink

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The deteriorating historic performance hall in Weimar was torn down because it was unable to serve the city's modern needs. A new facility offered this modest-sized city in East Germany and its architect an opportunity to respond to and define the relationship of this important cultural facility to the surrounding city context. The new design repeats the volume of the existing building with minor differences.

The new Weimarhalle is transparent and open on all sides allowing for views into the interior, with the hall structure appearing as an independent free-standing volume. The generous foyer created around this element intensifies the relationship of interior to exterior through glass facades especially towards the adjacent park—the main inner-city park—for cultural use. This openness especially applies to the restaurant, which is located in the west wing.

The Grand Hall can be opened up or closed with mechanical sliding walls on the ground and upper levels. This creates, on the one hand, a house inside the building, and on the other, a naturally illuminated event hall, which is spatially, functionally, and atmospherically adjustable to various uses.

On the park side, the southern courtyard is complemented by a lecture building, which can be used separately. Both forecourts are connected to the park via serpentine-shaped ramps.

Formal name of building:
Theater and Congress Hall, Weimar

Location:
Weimar, Germany

Gross square footage:
180,900 sf

Total construction cost:
$51 million

Owner:
Town of Weimar

Architect's firm:
gmp – Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner
Elbchaussee 139
22763 Hamburg, Germany
fon: ++49-40-88 151 0
fax: ++49-40-88 151 177
e-mail: Hamburg-E@gmp-architekten.de
www.gmp-architekten.de