The completion ceremony for the new forecourt in front of the Stadtpalais and the Main State Archives in Stuttgart took place on 8 May 2024. After two years of construction, the square with its 80-metre-wide flight of steps now provides event space for the Stadtpalais.

Two levels create a connection between the buildings along the Kulturmeile. The pedestrian and cycle path is located on a 60-metre-long retaining wall, with a continuous guidance system for the blind and modern lighting. This means that the pedestrian connection to the Staatsgalerie can be used without interruption. The spacious areas invite people to linger. Light-colored surfaces reduce the heat build-up in summer.

Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner was responsible for the structural design of the retaining wall in front of the Main State Archives, in complicated foundation conditions. The wall stands partly on basement buildings of the Main State Archives, which had to be adapted for this purpose. The foundation was then laid on piles between Stuttgart's main supply lines. 

LAP also carried out the structural design of the "combined structure": An exposed concrete sculpture made of white recycled concrete serves as a ventilation shaft for the Charlottenplatz subway station and also as a covered bus stop. The Stadtpalais can also use the tower as an advertising medium for events. A quarter of the sculpture stands on the technical floors of Charlottenplatz and is based on them. An underground shaft structure also had to be adapted to the new topography of the site.

Client: Tiefbauamt Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart und Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg Amt Stuttgart

Architect: LRO Gmbh & Co. KG