Interactive Museum & Science Center: Forum Deutsche Sprache topped out
The structural shell of Forum Deutsche Sprache (German Language Forum) in Mannheim has been completed. A topping-out ceremony was held on September 24 to mark the occasion, bringing together everyone involved in the project. The building is scheduled to open in late 2028.
Funded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation, the building will serve the Leibniz Institute for the German Language as an exhibition venue and an interactive research space. It will create a public meeting place where visitors can explore language, its ubiquity and its diversity through interactive exhibits, discussions, and ongoing research.
“The load-bearing structure and surfaces are already clearly visible in the shell construction. It is also becoming apparent how the new building will fit into the western side of Alter Meßplatz Süd and open its foyer onto the square,” says Fredrik Werner, the partner responsible for the project. As construction continues, the concrete structure will be enclosed by a three-layer façade of glass, wood, and a transparent membrane. Werner says that the façade will give the building a sense of depth, encouraging visitors to recognize and distinguish several layers at once, much as they do when engaging with language.
“Language is key to knowledge, mutual understanding, and participation in society. It is therefore an essential foundation of our democracy. With the Forum, we are creating a place where everyone can experience linguistic research and engage in dialogue about language and our society,” says Lilian Knobel, Managing Director of Education and Science Communication at the Klaus Tschira Foundation.
Photography © IDS/T. Schned.
