Wagenhallen Stuttgart

„It is a great fortune that the Wagenhallen were not demolished, but rather carefully renovated and upgraded for a variety of new uses.“

Built at the end of the 19th century as a locomotive depot, the Wagenhallen have long been an important cultural and event venue in Stuttgart. For more than a century, the railway maintained and repaired locomotives in the halls. In 2003, the city of Stuttgart became the owner; cultural workers gradually took over the buildings and used them as workshops, event spaces and for a tango school. As a result, the Wagenhallen established itself as a centre for art and culture beyond the borders of the state capital. In 2015, the local council decided to renovate the Wagenhallen - and to allow the previous users to move back in after the renovation.

The local architecture firm commissioned, Atelier Brückner, worked out the cubature of the former locomotive shed from 1895 and had the original substance carefully restored. It is important that the materials of the existing building were continued, but that the reconstructions were colour-contrasted: Each structural layer is recognisable. The new building, with additional space for studios and workshops, is clearly set back from the historical building. Today, the reopened cultural venue is divided into three areas: a 4,050 square metre event hall with standing room for up to 2,100 people (Kulturbetrieb Wagenhallen), a 9,500 square metre studio and workshop area (Kunstverein Wagenhalle) and a 450 square metre tango dance school.