The Nancyhalle as a Cultural Monument of International Rank

Some buildings look restrained at first glance and show their real force only when you look more closely. The Nancyhalle in Karlsruhe is without doubt one of them. Approaching from a distance, you first see a clearly organized, almost plain hall that fits in harmoniously with its surroundings. But once you step inside, you enter an experience that has held generations of architecture lovers in its spell for good reason. The wide, column-free span of the roof, the skillful handling of light and the proportions of the space turn the building into a very special place where you feel the signature of an extraordinary architect directly. It was the internationally renowned Prof. Erich Schelling who created this work, and his name is closely tied to the architectural history of Karlsruhe in the twentieth century.

Schelling's work stands in line with the great names of postwar modernism, and many connoisseurs regard the Nancyhalle as one of his outstanding works. That may explain why the proposal to simply tear down the hall and replace it with a functional new building caused loud dismay among experts. The debates about preserving it were heated more than once in recent years, and it took persistent persuasion to bring the value of this building into public awareness. The Colani Museum Support Association played an important role in that dispute and was able to show that the Nancyhalle is far more than an aging event venue. It is an architectural testimony of great presence that deserves to be preserved.

Erich Schelling: An Architect with a Signature of His Own

Who was this Erich Schelling, whose name is no longer familiar to everyone even in Karlsruhe? Born at the beginning of the twentieth century, he shaped generations of students as a university teacher and practitioner and realized numerous buildings that became landmarks of their locations. His style was marked by a consistent clarity of form combined with remarkable boldness in the use of load-bearing structures. Schelling was an architect who was not afraid of wide spans and who pushed the engineering possibilities of his time without ever sliding into crude showmanship. His buildings still look astonishingly fresh many decades after they were built and not at all tied to their era. It is exactly this quality that gives his works their appeal, and the Nancyhalle is an impressive example.

If you would like to learn more about the cultural background and the connection with the life's work of Luigi Colani, we recommend our page on Luigi Colani. Our home page also looks at the link between the two figures and what their coming together meant for the city of Karlsruhe.

Architectural Particularities of the Hall

On a closer look, the Nancyhalle reveals a whole series of design refinements that make up its architectural weight. One is the free span mentioned above, which for a hall of this size was a genuine engineering achievement at the time of construction. Another is the clever use of daylight, which keeps the interior lively without harsh artificial lighting. Add to that the choice of materials and the craftsmanship, which in many details show a care that is hard to find today. If you are interested in the finer points, here is an overview of the main features.

The Exhibition "Mobility and Aerodynamics"

Between 2004 and the end of 2007, the Nancyhalle went through what was probably the most exciting phase of its recent past. The Colani Museum Support Association had brought the space to life with a first-rate exhibition on the life's work of the star designer Prof. Luigi Colani. Under the title "Mobility and Aerodynamics," vehicles, study models, sketches and concept work were shown that gave a deep insight into the thinking and output of the internationally active designer. Visitors from Germany and abroad streamed into the hall and saw an exhibition that few other places in the world could have offered in this form. The combination of Schelling's architectural heritage and Colani's futuristic formal language created an atmosphere that many still remember.

Unfortunately, despite every effort, despite public events and intensive press coverage, it was not possible to anchor the project permanently in Karlsruhe. In December 2007 the exhibition closed its doors after the City of Karlsruhe terminated the designer's lease on the premises. Since then the hall has returned to a silence that some observers call deep sleep. But that sleep need not last forever, and the association keeps working on sketching a sensible future for the building.

What Comes Next for the Building?

At present the City of Karlsruhe is looking for a new purpose for the generous spaces. The idea of a "Lab Ka," an experimental research and exhibition space, was quickly shelved again, which disappointed many observers. Other concepts have been discussed since, ranging from cultural uses and commercial events to hybrid mixes. From the association's point of view, a cultural revival with a clear thematic focus would be the obvious solution, since the hall's history and atmosphere make it especially suited to events that explore the tension between architecture, design and society.

Civic Engagement as the Key

Whatever the city finally decides, one thing is certain: without the involvement of its citizens, no plan, however good, will hold up. Cultural venues live from people embracing them, identifying with them and returning to them regularly. That is exactly why associations like the Colani Museum Support Association matter so much. They bring topics into public view, organize events, ask the questions nobody else asks and keep the dialogue with politics and administration going. If you feel like joining this civic engagement, you will find all the important information on the page Membership. Even a one-time donation or simply recommending our cause to others is a valuable contribution, without which we could not continue our work.

The Nancyhalle is not just any building. It is a cultural monument that wants to be heard, seen and experienced. In the years of the Colani exhibition it showed what it can do when given the chance. It is now up to all of us to make sure this potential is not wasted a second time. Anyone who has seen it with their own eyes knows what magic such a place can unfold when it is filled with life. Rekindling that magic is the stated goal of our association, and we are glad about everyone who wants to walk this road with us.