Address: Porschestraße 51, 38440 Wolfsburg, Germany Open Google map
Entrance fee: Free entry
Themes: Cultural buildings, Libraries
Wolfsburg Cultural Centre was designed and constructed for a small German city built around automotive industry. In choosing Alvar Aalto as the designer, the young city of Wolfsburg wanted to acquire a higher profile.
The building was designed to house the City Library, the Adult education centre and the Youth club. These three different functions were skillfully combined under the same roof, so that each one of them found their own unique space behind the sculptural façade. Nowadays, the City Library is the only original function of the cultural center still in operation. In addition to the library, today the building houses various business facilities, such as a restaurant called Aalto.
The unique shape of the Wolfsburg Cultural Centre is one of its distinct features. The design of the main façade of the building is very geometric. The building appears to form itself from a series of hexagonal volumes that have been pushed together.
In designing the Wolfsburg Cultural Center, Aalto was presented with the possibility of realizing a plan as a “total work of art”, for a client allowing freedom from constraints of budget and schedule. The building also features personalised solutions, such as the atrium courtyard with a sliding roof and fireplace, opening onto the roof terrace of the building. There are also various skylights in the building that bring natural daylight in.
The façade of the building is Carrara marble, while the interiors are mainly granite and wood. Many details of the building, such as door handles and fixed lighting fixtures, as well as furniture, were also designed by Aalto. Nowadays, many of Aalto’s designs can still be seen inside the building.
Wolfsburg Cultural Centre is the home for the City Library and other cultural and business premises. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation
The auditorium of the Wolfsburg Cultural Centre. Photo: Maija Holma, Alvar Aalto Foundation
The building was designed to house the City Library, the Adult education centre and the Youth club. These three facilities were skillfully placed under one roof, so that each one of them had their own unique space behind the sculptured façade.
Information for visitors
Good to know
Arriving to Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg is located approximately 230 kilometres away from the capital of Germany, Berlin. From Berlin to Wolfsburg there is a good train connection and the travel time is around 1 hour. From the railway station of Wolfsburg to the Cultural Centre the walking distance is approximately 1 kilometre.
One can see the building from the outside or visit the City Library during its opening times.
For more information on the Alvar Aalto sites in Wolfsburg, visit the websites:
www.alvaraalto.fi/en/architecture/wolfsburg-cultural-centre/
Further information
The City Library is open
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10:00-18:00
Wed, Sat 10:00-14:00
Sun closed
Please note that public holidays may affect the opening times!