Behnisch
Excursion
UIA Pre-Congress Architectural Event in Stuttgart
Buildings by Behnisch
& Partner /
Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner
July 21, 2002
Before guided visits to a number of buildings in and around Stuttgart the excursion is to begin with a general introductory welcome at one of the two offices in Stuttgart; Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner, Christophstraße 6. Here there will be the opportunity to see projects currently in planning.
The first building on the tour is the Hysolar Institut at the Stuttgart University.
This building, completed in 1987, has become widely known and is often cited
as an example of 'deconstructivist architecture'. The users are the Institute
for Physical Electronics and The German Institute of Air and Space Travel.
The Herbert-Keller-Haus, our next stop, accommodates the headquarters of the "Diakonisches Werk", Charitable Services of the Lutheran Church, whose activities centre around the disadvantaged in our society, i.e., the old, the ill or the handicapped. The design for this building, which was completed in 1984, was subject to various restrictions imposed by the masterplanning / infrastructure programme for the "Löwentorzentrum" district of Stuttgart.
After a short 45 minute drive we will reach Lorch, a small town in the valley of the river Rems, where we will have lunch in the "Muckensee" Restaurant (www.muckensee.de). The tight schedule of the excursion will only allow for one hour at this picturesque place.
At around 2p.m. the tour
will take us to the opposite hillside where the school and sports complex
"Auf dem Schäfersfeld" is located.
The town of Lorch is our practices' most faithful Client. The first project
in Lorch, a primary school, was realised as early as 1960. Thereafter there
have been numerous commissions for further school buildings. Situated high
up above the town, looking out over the valley, stands the "Realschule",
completed in 1973 and subsequently extended in 1994, the "Hauptschule"
(1982) and a sports hall (1976). Behnisch & Partner are currently building
a secondary school here.
The classrooms of the "Realschule" are located over two levels addressing
a central hall. At ground-floor level both the building itself and the various
room groups open up to embrace the outside. The entrance hall itself is triangular
in form with classrooms are aligned along two of the sides and carefully integrated
into the landscape. The schedule will allow sufficient time for the exploration
of this unique school complex.
Once back in Stuttgart, we will board a small "ark" stranded in a residential area at the foot of the "Rotenberg", the chapel and tomb of the Wurttembergian Kings and Queens. The Kindergarten ,Luginsland will provide the opportunity to immerse yourself in a small world which is normally reserved for children from 3 to 6 years of age.
The Landesgirokasse (now Landesbank Baden-Württemberg) "Am Bollwerk" is the last stop of our excursion. This building on the busy Fritz-Elsas-Straße almost opposite the "Liederhalle" accommodates the administrative centre of the bank. This seven storey building is characterised by the large glazed entrance hall extending over a central water feature in the courtyard. At ground floor level a restaurant, cinema and shops further animate the building attracting visitors outside the usual working hours of the bank. To complete the day a visit to the upper levels of the building will afford a beautiful farewell view of the city centre of Stuttgart and the surrounding hills.
