Redevelopment of the forecourt, 2019
In 2014, the general renovation of the more than 60-year-old Theo Pabst building began. In the sense of the preservation of monuments the house was revitalized with careful means.
In 2019, the renovation work will be completed with the remodeling of the forecourt. Their goal is not only to preserve an architectural monument for future generations, but also to enable an attractive program in a hospitable environment. The design by Mann Landschaftsarchitektur Fulda opens the space in front of the Kunsthalle and makes it a public space. Seven trees to increase the quality of life of the place, while three round benches invite you to linger. Barriers like the fence are removed.
To make the forecourt a meeting place for all citizens, we need your commitment. Help make the city more attractive! With the foundation of a tree or a bench, you can contribute in the long term to an upgrading of the urban living space.
Your contact:
Dr. León Krempel,
Director
Kunstverein Darmstadt e V.
Tel. 06151 891184
Future transformation of the forecourt
After completion of the refurbishment, the landscaping, matching the new appearance of the Kunsthalle, will become more attractive and act as a stimulus for the surrounding city. On the initiative of the Kunstverein and the recommendation of an independent advisory board, a competition among five participants was held together with the Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt. The process was accompanied by several public events. The Büro-Mann-Landschaftsarchitektur from Fulda was awarded first prize. They propose to remove the fence and integrate the Kunsthalle into its urban environment. In further planning steps, the green areas of the parks will be upgraded with areas for socializing.
© Simulation: Büromann Landschaftsarchitektur Fulda
Original tiles of the founding year 1957
Working in close consultation with conservationists, the aim of the renovation is to preserve the original architecture with its design elements and materials.
© Kunsthalle Darmstadt / Photo: Anke Müllerklein, 2015
The glass facade of the entrance hall
The glass facade and bordering floor tiles, which represent the idea of an inviting transparency between interior and exterior, are to be restored.
© Kunsthalle Darmstadt / Photo: Anke Müllerklein, 2015
Elements of the facade
Deteriorating window elements and high energy losses make the replacement of the window facades on the building’s south side necessary. The rest of the window elements are original and will be restored and equipped with new glazing matching the original profile. In addition, ceramic wall tiles will be updated.
© Kunsthalle Darmstadt / Photo: Anke Müllerklein, 2015
The large hall with its daylight illumination
The large exhibition hall is characterized by its daylight illumination through skylights consisting of a double-glazed gable roof and a plexiglass flat ceiling. The renovation of the ceiling and the skylight over the main hall in 2014 was funded by the city of Darmstadt, the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen, the Brackelsberg Foundation, and many private donors, mainly from the membership of the association.
© Kunsthalle Darmstadt / Photo: Anke Müllerklein, 2015
The final construction measures
The technology of the heating system, which was partly built in 1957, has to be brought up-to-date for current electrical and exhibition technologies, as well as be adaptable to future requirements. All of this is intended to save energy costs as well as to meet the needs of future exhibitions and diverse events. By the end of 2019 the forecourt should also be redesigned and perceived as an effective urban element on the Rheinstraße.
© Photo: Nikolaus Heiss
