Technologiezentrum Umweltschutz TZU

The 1913 plant inn is a late work by architect Carl Weigle, who planned, among other things, a hotel, a theatre, a bank and a number of palaces, all in a historicising style.
Originally situated in a larger park, the plant inn was intended to be a counterpart to Schloss Oberhausen. The spatial reference and the use of baroque elements symbolise the GHH group of companies’ power and standing.
After having been damaged during the war, the building was rebuilt without any major changes. The park, presumably also having been planed by Weigle, however, was only partly preserved.
The plant inn did not only accommodate and cater for company guests, it also featured meeting rooms and a large hall with a stage that could be used for both corporate events and by the citizens.
Within the framework of the IBA Emscher Park (a construction exhibition), the former plant inn found its new purpose as the seat of the Technologiezentrum Umweltschutz (TZU; an environmental technology centre), dealing with the issue of “the environments; analysis, planning, technology”, and thus features high-quality public and private research facilities.

Author: Route Industriekultur / Editorial baukunst-nrw
Last changed on 06.07.2009

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Architecture » Commercial Buildings » Offices