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DEUTSCHE
WERKSTaTTEN
Leopoldina, Halle an der Saale
Deutsche Werkstätten services:Outfitting of interiors with loose furniture
Even those with no particular affinity to science might find their interest (or their imagination) piqued
by these striking premises: what would it be like to be inspired by these spaces every single day — if
not scientifically then at least aesthetically— The building in question is the new headquarters of the
German National Academy of Sciences, known as the Leopoldina, in Halle an der Saale. At its
official opening in May 2012, the academy—s president Professor Jörg Hacker emphasised that
today—s Leopoldina is no longer just an association of academics but a working institute, a transition
that is also reflected in the newly renovated building. The faithful restoration of the 17th century
structure (led by the Leipzig office of RKW Rhode Kellermann Wawrowsky) retained the existing
internal layout and even restored the original colour schemes in some of the rooms. The facilities
include a large first floor banqueting hall for international conferences or events with space for up to
380 guests, while the 170-seat lecture theatre and the various seminar rooms are used for symposia
and public lectures. Deutsche Werkstätten was tasked with furnishing the two large halls and the
study rooms, as well as the directors— offices and the impressive historic conference room. For the
large halls alone, some 650 examples of the same classic Castelli chair were made. —Finasoft—
conference chairs by Brunner were chosen for the conference room, and the general secretary—s
office now has furniture by Leuwico. Professor Hacker, meanwhile, gained a specially made desk. In
2008, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina was given the official title of National Academy
of Sciences. Working independently of economic and political interests, the academy addresses
issues of particular significance to the future of society, shares its scientific findings with
policymakers and the public, and debates these findings on the national and international stage.
Established in Schweinfurt in 1652, the Leopoldina is the world—s oldest continuously existing
academy for medicine and the natural sciences. The 7,000 distinguished academics and scientists
who have been selected for membership since the academy—s foundation include Marie Curie,
Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt, Justus von
Liebig and Max Planck.
Text: Deutsche Werkstätten
Photos: Gunter Binsack
Date: 2012
DEUTSCHE
WERKSTaTTEN
Leopoldina, Halle an der Saale
Deutsche Werkstätten services:Outfitting of interiors with loose furniture
DEUTSCHE
WERKSTaTTEN
Leopoldina, Halle an der Saale
Deutsche Werkstätten services:Outfitting of interiors with loose furniture
DEUTSCHE
WERKSTaTTEN
Leopoldina, Halle an der Saale
Deutsche Werkstätten services:Outfitting of interiors with loose furniture