Comprehensive refurbishment of the Stuttgart Liederhalle Cultural and Congress Stuttgart
The Liederhalle is not only one of Stuttgart’s oldest cultural institutions. Due to its reconstruction after its destruction in the Second World War, it is also one of the most important German cultural buildings of the post-war period. The listed, iconic and expressive building, which for a long time served primarily as a concert hall, was extended in the 1990s and evolved into an internationally recognised congress center. Technical and functional deficiencies as well as an expansion of use and capacity necessitated a substantial refurbishment.
The architects began with an analysis of the (infra)structures, the spatial situation and technical equipment. It soon became clear that a complete overhaul was needed, and not just in terms of fire protection. The outdated stage and event technology as well as the building management system were also to be replaced.
Presenting it in the proper light
Due to the various levels, voids, columns and staircases, the interior has a certain complexity and multi-layered character that had barely been noticed. It was therefore a key aspect of the design concept to highlight this special spatial structure. Particularly in the redesign of the ceilings, which had previously been kept in white, the designers saw great potential for a new spatial perception.
The new, folded ceiling elements now combine to form a continuous, homogeneous surface. The lighting designers from pfarré lighting design not only developed a sophisticated lighting concept for it, but they also had the idea to cast a vibrant blue colour onto the ceiling. While the edges of the room are emphasized through lines of light, the ceiling recedes into the background with its rich, deep blue hue, creating a pleasantly calm and elegant effect. Installation elements were used selectively and aligned with the Hegel Hall.
Consistent design principle
In the foyer of the Hegel Hall, the architects continued the design principle of accentuating key spatial edges and areas through lighting or distinctive materials. Particular areas such as bars, lavatories, lifts and main staircases are clad in wood with inlay-like patterns that vary the heptagonal basic geometry of the congress building. On the lower levels, the warm oak wood of the wall panelling contrasts with the harder texture of the existing granite floor. On the upper levels, the materiality harmonises with the original parquet flooring. The rich dark blue of the ceiling also underlines this effect here.
The completely new spatial experience is supported by an orientation system by Studio Tillack Knöll. It guides visitors almost intuitively through the building and, thanks to a modern, digital system, to the individual areas. Also in blue and copper, it picks up on the colours of its surroundings and rounds off the design concept.
Project information
Name: Liederhalle Cultural and Congress Centre Stuttgart
Location: Stuttgart
Client: Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Property Office represented by „in.Stuttgart Veranstaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG“
Representative of the client: Ernst & Young Real Estate GmbH, Stuttgart/DE
Completion: November 2020
Collaboration: wh-p GmbH Beratende Ingenieure, Stuttgart/DE (structural engineering), Halfkann + Kirchner Sachverständigenpartnerschaft, Stuttgart/DE (fire protection engineering), EGS-Plan GmbH, Stuttgart together with: Ingenieurbüro Wörtz Part mbB, Pforzheim/DE (TGA planning HVAC, building physics/ELT, FMT), Pfarré Lighting Design, München/DE (lighting designer), Studio Tillack Knöll, Stuttgart/DE (building control system)
Project team: Eberhard Becker, Martina Rauh, Ralph Stäcker, Daniela Byutyuneva, Bárbara Riera-Menendez, Judith Kappes, Irene Schweizer, Efrosini Gennimati, Sonja Blessing, Bernhard Heinnickel, Matthias Wachter
Images:Zooey Braun
