Poelzig Ensemble - Campus Westend Conversion and renovation of the park of the former IG-Farbenhaus for the Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt a.M.

The IG Farben House and the associated park were built in 1929/1930 according to plans by Hans Poelzig. Poelzig worked together with gardening director Bromme, Frankfurt, and Karl Foerster on the extensive gardens. Foerster's young colleagues at the time were Herta Hammerbacher and Herrmann Mattern, whose signature can still be seen in the grounds.



From 1995 to 1995, the building was initially the seat of the American military government and later the headquarters of the 5th US Army. In 1996, the state of Hesse acquired the site for the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University. The park was rebuilt and renovated according to plans by Copenhagen landscape architect Prof. Sven-Ingvar Andersson and the firm Klahn Singer Partner, Karlsruhe.

The conversion and renovation of the buildings were planned by the Dissing Wietling ° Planungsring Ressel consortium.

The conversion was completed in 2001. The site is now part of the Westend Campus of Goethe University Frankfurt am Main.

"On October 1, 1929, after the demolition of the municipal insane asylum, the site, which is edged with dark green paint, becomes the property of IG Farben," reads a letter from the company in April 1928 to the architects Hans Poelzig, Jakob Körfer, Fritz Höger, Paul Bonatz and Prof. Elsässer, requesting a design for a building project of 25-30,000 m2 of usable space with a cost estimate and perspective for 20,000 marks each.

The building was completed in 1930 according to Poelzig's plans. For the extensive gardens, Poelzig worked together with garden director Bromme, Frankfurt, and Karl Foerster. Foerster's young colleagues at the time were Herta Hammerbacher and Herrmann Mattern, whose signature can still be seen in the design.





As early as 1934, the IG Farben works newspaper described the ensemble with great enthusiasm:

"There is a certain affinity with the gigantic office buildings in New York, not only in size but also in style, except that there the building structure is raised as a result of the enormous price of land, which here is allowed to spread out on relatively cheaper ground. And what rises up from the edge of the dust- and heat-filled street canyons, so to speak, lies here in a wonderfully green setting. A walk along the paths of this garden is also interesting for those who do not have the gift of empathy for the world of plants, for whom the constructive is closer, because from all angles and paths the view falls back on the shimmering walls of the house, often in delightful overlaps.

Above all, the connoisseur and friend of trees, shrubs and perennials has a wide field here to observe and enrich his knowledge."

The inglorious history of IG Farben ended with the end of the Second World War and with it the building's function as the group's headquarters. After an interim use as a camp for displaced persons (mainly former forced laborers and prisoners of war), it was the headquarters of the 5th US Army until 1995.



Renovation of the building and park



In 1996, the state of Hesse acquired the ensemble, which had been a listed building since 1970. The building was converted and renovated according to plans by Copenhagen architects Dissing Weitling with Planungsring Ressel from Wiesbaden. The landscape architects Prof. Sven-Ingvar Andersson, Copenhagen, and Klahn Singer Partner, Karlsruhe, were responsible for the 14-hectare garden.



With its unusually strict symmetry, the functional layout from the 1920s has its own aesthetic effect, which is further emphasized by the free design of the surroundings. The color and texture of the travertine, which was used very consistently, give the functional building a touch of warmth and thus create a connection to the plants.



The spatial composition of Hans Poelzig's structural design was supplemented by space-creating plantings. These partially replace unrealized - because unneeded - building volumes. The park is a necessary addition to the building, whose urban typology is based on the architecture of baroque palaces.



While the garden was initially the setting for the prestigious buildings, today it is a space for recreation. 4,000 students come and go or linger in the park between lectures and seminars. The garden serves as a foyer. Sun terraces and squares were therefore included in the planning.

The focus of the concept for the outdoor facilities is in the area between the main building and the casino, the significance of which is emphasized by the water basin and the stonework. This area connects the two buildings and also serves as a break area.

The water basin was designed so that it can be used all year round. At night and on dark winter days, the surface of the water reflects the lights of the lamps.



The casino plays an important role in the overall complex. Its placement corresponds to the casa nobile of a Palladian villa, which stands out between the farm buildings. As the casino is the most important meeting place, the surrounding area was redesigned accordingly. Circular tree plantings on both gables to the west and east of the casino create places to linger. Surrounded by grassy areas, they convey an impression of tranquillity. The inner gravel area can be used like the garden of an inn. The sunny square at the main entrance looks like the landing board of a beehive. For cost reasons, it was not possible to create upstands for sitting and relaxing there