Weishaupt Forum

Richard Meier – Weishaupt Forum in Schwedt Germany, 1987-1992

Situated in the Schwabian countryside on the edge of a small town, this complex is the representative building of a small industrial plant. The new complex consists of two main structures: a cafeteria and a training center housed in one building and another portico building in front of the existing offices.

The covered causeway provides shelter for employees coming and going to the factory. It also provides access to the two guest dining rooms and the double-height staff cafeteria (260 seats). The latter space houses the main staircase leading to two classrooms and a teaching laboratory on the upper floor. The complex can be reached on both levels via stairs at the outer corners.

The interior courtyard is framed by two terraces on the first floor, one flanking the semicircular wall of the cafeteria and the other opening onto the art gallery. These terraces convey a sense of intimacy to the courtyard, which is bounded on one side by the loggia and on the other by a stream that separates the forum from the owner's private residence to the southwest, at the far corner of the site.