The Kauffmannmühle
History
The Kauffmannmühle was constructed between 1881 and 1883 by Mannheim Architects, Philipp Jelmoli and Karl Blatt, after having been successfully awarded the tender by the Kauffmann und Söhne Mannheim company. The mill bestowed its operators the title „Mannheim’s First Steam-Mill“. The building was extended in 1905 with amendments having been made to the storehouse, situated directly at the water, to include an additional depository as well as a silo.
The mill was spared any damage during World Wars I and II, allowing it to continue production until it’s closure in 1960. Due to damages resulting from a fire in 1982, one of the storehouses had to demolished the following year, in turn disrupting the symmetry of the building’s architectural ensemble.
The Architectural Ensemble
Situated at the canal, the 30 metres high silo is the mill’s most distinctive feature, particularly due to its neo-romantic style. Originally, the neighbouring storehouse at the other side of the mill formed a symmetrical equivalent to the silo. Nowadays only the remaining Yaman building, itself a part of the former mill, which is situated alongside the construction area, is reminiscent of the demolished storehouse. Due to the fact that the remaining two-storied storehouses flank the silo, the building’s overall conception can be reduced to the principles of the Mannheim Symmetry, which has been shaping the city from the 18th century onwards: one finds that the distinctive combination of low side wings and a high central tower is reflected by various other buildings, such as the Konkordienkirche, the town hall, the Old Mall and the modern town hall, which was later constructed to replace the Old Mall. In this sense, both silo and storehouse have to be recognised as an identity-establishing element fort the whole district.
The mill’s main building, on the other side of the road, can also be seen as an impressive example of industrial architecture. Due to its minimal nature, the mill “aims for a representative effect, thereby adapting the art of medieval construction and ornaments” (Schenk, Andreas: Architekturführer Mannheim. Dietrich Riemer Verlag, Berlin 1999. p. 68.). The mill incorporates a complex of buildings, including the former administrative building, canteen and garage, which serve as zeitraumexit’s premises since 2007.
The former canteen is now used as an exhibition room and the subjacent facilities have been converted into a bar as well as storage rooms. The former mechanic’s workshop has been modified to serve as a modern stage area and an additional building was added, in order to accommodate three extra offices as well as a conference room.
Future Perspective
Due to its spatial proximity to various creative natured establishments, including the Popakademie, Musikpark, Kunstraum Strümpfe and also zeitraumexit, the City of Mannheim is maintaining the Kauffmannmühle with EU funds in order to transform it into an economic art centre. However, the larger part of the building will be turned into luxury apartments, offices and studio lots by proprietor Reinhard Suhl. Due to facades being heritage listed, all windows will be kept in their original state, whereas the silo building will be provided with new windows and balconies.
The city’s economic art centre will be situated in the Yaman building as well as the adjacent building belonging to the Durferrit Company (even though this building is not part of the mill). The newly emerging offices, showrooms and event locations will be leased to companies from the creative sector. The range of creative establishments will be accompanied by the Communal Gallery, in which young regional artists will be given the opportunity to exhibit their works. Six exhibitions per year are being planned.
The expected completion date is set at the beginning of 2014.
Sources:
Schenk, Andreas. Architekturführer Mannheim. Berlin: Dietrich Riemer Verlag, 1999, p. 68.
Schenk, Andreas. Mannheim und seine Bauten 1907-2007. Ed. 4: Verkehr, Industrie, Gesundheit und Sport. Mannheim: EDITON QUADRAT, 2004, p. 60.