August 6, 2026
2712 Westbahn Hub Karlsruhe
2712 Westbahn Hub Karlsruhe
Location:
Karlsruhe, Switzerland
Project phases:
Competition 2024
Project period:
2024 –
Client:
City Karlsruhe / Fächer
Landscape Architecture:
Studio Vulkan
Architecture:
pool Architektur
Photography:
Studio Vulkan
Drone footage:
pool Architektur
Details:
It’s all happening in the west – continue building the fan-shaped city
Today, the west of Karlsruhe is characterized by industry, with its connection to the Rhine port. It forms the transition between the central fan-shaped city and the landscape around the Rhine. The west of Karlsruhe is a place of transformation – in the future it will be attractive for new businesses but also for existing and new residential uses.
The Westbahnhof with its surrounding plots forms an important interface – it connects to the urban network via a new cycle route. It is the arrival point to the district – also as part of a cross-connecting park figure that connects the fan-shaped town to the Rhine. The place, which today is rather unreal and characterized by infrastructure, thus has a new significance for the district locally and across the city of Karlsruhe.
Slow awakening – gradually rediscovering a place
With the closure of the tobacco factory, not only was an important employer in the district lost, but large parts of the large halls and production rooms have since been abandoned. In the short, medium and long term, the goal here is to integrate new innovative commercial uses; KIT has already become the first exciting user.
An overarching open space concept for the historic area sets the framework for development. On the one hand, it determines the character of the tobacco factory today and tomorrow, while at the same time allowing the necessary flexibility in development.
The beginning of the tobacco factory is the future parking space for the train station and the Grünwinkler Brücke. The historic director’s villa becomes the gatehouse, and the former industrial track directs visitors* to the factory’s open green foyer.
The awakening of the tobacco factory from its slumber does not happen overnight. Through a multitude of small development steps, elements of the overall planning are implemented – the area is slowly brought to new life. The first step took place in summer 2026 – the green foyer – the so-called Rotag Garden – was activated as a common space in the west of Karlsruhe. Karlsruhe has rediscovered this place – more exciting steps are to follow.
In Place Development & Discourse – On-site development process with all stakeholders
The open space concept and the definition of the individual measures were not carried out in a closed space. The project was developed and discussed jointly during several work visits and workshops on site with all stakeholders. This resulted not only in a project that reacts very precisely to the qualities of the existing, but also in a team that has a special connection to the location and the people involved.