As part of the ground-breaking ceremony, a time capsule was handed over to the construction company - a greeting to posterity and a sign of the beginning of a new era at the historic site.
Lord Mayor Dr. Frank NopperThe Weissenhof Estate makes Stuttgart a globally recognized city of innovative architecture and modern architecture. The Le Corbusier houses of the Weissenhof Estate even became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. The Weissenhof Forum pays tribute to this World Heritage Site and takes a look into the future of architecture.
The Weissenhof Forum, which is being built at the entrance to the world-famous Weissenhof Estate, will in future serve as a central information and starting point for visitors. It combines exhibition areas, a media room, a store, catering facilities and event and work areas. The new building places particular emphasis on sustainability: built using timber and clay construction methods with a photovoltaic façade and a green roof, the building is pursuing the goal of a climate-neutral plus-energy standard.
A place that will have an impact beyond the IBA
"Almost one hundred years ago, the Werkbund Estate at Weissenhof was built in just four and a half months, making a statement with global appeal. With the Weissenhof Forum, this site now has a worthy entrance. The new building translates the language of modernism into the present - in form, technology and material. And it shows: If the client, construction industry and architecture act as equals and with determination, forward-looking buildings can be created in a short space of time, even today. The fact that this project is becoming a reality is thanks to the commitment of many people involved - first and foremost the City of Stuttgart and the Friends of the Weissenhof Estate. In 2027, we will open the Forum together - as an open place that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the Weissenhof Estate and talk about the future, far beyond the IBA," said Dr. Gabriele König, Managing Director of IBA'27 GmbH and Andreas Hofer, Director of IBA'27.
Suse Kletzin, Chairwoman of the Friends of the Weissenhof Estate Association, adds: "The ground-breaking ceremony marks the start of a new chapter in the history of the Friends of the Weissenhof Estate. Many volunteers and full-time staff have helped to write it. We are looking forward to an exciting new time in conveying the Weissenhof story and wish the city of Stuttgart as the client, the planners from Barkow Leibinger and the construction team from Zech Hochbau all the best for the construction period!"
Completion is planned by December 31, 2026
The planning and implementation will be carried out by the bidding consortium Zech Hochbau AG / Barkow Leibinger Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, which won the Europe-wide award procedure with a design of high architectural quality and a forward-looking energy concept.
Following the demolition of the old building, work has now begun on the building construction. The Weissenhof.Forum is scheduled for completion and commissioning by December 31, 2026 - just in time for the 100th anniversary year of the estate and before the start of the IBA'27 exhibition year.
