The Stadthaus Ulm is an open exhibition and event space for contemporary issues, covering topics including culture, social affairs, sciences, media and politics - and it also houses the tourist information and a café and restaurant.
The Stadthaus is meant to be a venue where people of any origin can meet, a forum for open debates, and an extension of the Ulm Minster Square. It goes without saying that the Stadthaus aims to be as barrier-free and multilingual as possible. The exhibitions are open daily and admission is free. The architecture also presents itself as openly as possible, inside and outside are merging.
"The Stadthaus holds a special place in my heart", explained American starchitect Richard Meier. And it is true, it is considered as one of his most important European buildings. Around the same time the very same architect caused a big stir with his outshining Getty Center in Los Angeles.
This twelve-minute portrait of the Stadthaus Ulm provides insights into its exciting history of creation on this square in the heart of Ulm. And it gives an overview of the opportunities the events are offering to guests renting the space and the events organised by the Stadthaus, with special focus on the exhibitions. A lot of international stars have been invited to the Stadthaus already. Video in German.
A struggle to decide on the 'correct' new design of the Minster Square, lasting over a century, preceded the Stadthaus' construction. The competition in 1986 was going to be the last one. On 15 November 1986 the jury selected Richard Meier's entry, an architect based in New York. This caused a storm of protest, but also created a wave of enthusiasm. After heated debates the Stadthaus opened its doors to the public in 1993. It found its way into the Denkmalbuch Baden-Württemberg (list of heritages sites) in early 2019, classified as important cultural monument Kulturdenkmal von besonderer Bedeutung. Only in German
Former Lord Mayor Ernst Ludwig claimed that the Stadthaus stood for the courage to make changes, unchallenged up until now. Former Mayor Helmut Schaber and the architect Richard Meier also looked back on the initial debates regarding the Stadthaus in 2004/05. Video in German. Interview with Richard Meier in English.
You will find out in the video below how much the guided tours of Richard Meier's architecture differed between former Lord Mayor Ivo Gönner, former Mayor Alexander Wetzig, Tabea Frey, former pastor at the Minster, and Karla Nieraad, Stadthaus between 2009 and 2012 - and what all of this has got to do with umbrellas for 5.95 euros. Video in German
From the groundbreaking ceremony in 1991 until spring 1993. The construction of the Stadthaus, observed from a flat next door: Martin Rivoir's unique slides put together in a movie.
Our remarkable super 8 film: The passionate amateur film-maker Hans-Wolfgang Gronle from Ulm documented the construction of the Stadthaus from 1991 to 1993; commissioned by and with technical advice from architect Paul Fuchslocher, also from Ulm. Including very exceptional, long forgotten views of Ulm's city centre. A vintage gem! Video in German.
