The creation of a contemporary workplace and new spaces for communication are the main areas of focus of the Klett Group’s headquarters development at the Feuersee site in Stuttgart, which is planned for completion by the end of 2026. The project’s ecological and social sustainability credentials, the preservation and further development of existing historical buildings and the education company’s commitment to its urban location convinced the Board of Trustees and Supervisory Board of the International Building Exhibition Stuttgart 2027 (IBA’27) to include the Klett site transformation in the IBA’27 project portfolio.
© Bruno Fioretti Marquez
In spring 1900, the Klett company, whose activities at the time focused on its printing and billposting operations, moved into a new building at Rotebühlstraße 77 in Stuttgart to give it sufficient space for its modern printing presses. The Klett headquarters expanded gradually over the years as more buildings were added. 1954 marked the completion of the new, now listed, main building on Rotebühlstraße, designed by Stuttgart architect Gero Karrer.
Over the decades, the building density has steadily increased and currently comprises 17 buildings. The planned construction works will focus on reorganising the site.
The demolition of two buildings and further development of existing historic buildings will create a generous open space in the centre of the site, which will allow for extensive desealing and the planting of a tree-lined walkway. The site will be entirely pedestrianised, the buildings will be accessible, and the entrance area of the Karrer building will be remodelled so that the site opens up towards Lake Feuersee, offering employees and guests a contemporary and friendly reception.
In a development designed by Berlin-based architectural firm Bruno Fioretti Marquez, the historic building will be preserved and sensitively renovated.
The decisive factor behind the decision to make the site modernisation an official project of the IBA’27 building exhibition, besides the focus on sustainability, was the further development of the centrally located site within the urban area: “Klett is fully committed to its inner-city location and, unlike some other companies, is not moving out of town. By choosing to transform its headquarters into green, vibrant premises in the heart of a dense, urban environment, the long-established company is making an important contribution to urban regeneration and a productive city. The project thus represents an important addition to the IBA’27 project catalogue,” explains IBA Director Andreas Hofer.
For more information on the transformation of the Klett premises, see:
Klett Group’s headquarter modernisation – 26 September 2023
About the Klett Group
With an international presence in 21 countries, the Klett Group is one of Europe’s leading enterprises dedicated to education. The portfolio includes both traditional and state-of-the-art educational media for day-to-day use in schools, as well as lesson planning materials, specialist literature and the classics. In addition, the Klett Group operates many educational institutions, ranging from day-care centres and schools to attendance-based and distance-learning universities.
Contact person:
Karen Hecker
Head of Corporate Communications
Ernst Klett AG
Ernst Klett AG