Imminent Destruction Approaches: The Countdown for This Architectural Marvel Begins.
The Schömberg town hall, a listed building constructed in 1756, was demolished in the first week of August following approval from the heritage authority in Tübingen. Despite criticism from preservation associations, the decision was primarily driven by the need for a comprehensive renovation and modernization project.
The demolition, carried out by the Walter company using a large excavator, was meticulously documented in detail to preserve the town hall clock and the roof turret. The demolition cost a total of 118,500 euros, with the entire project estimated at around 5 million euros.
The expert report from Faltlhauser and Krapf office in Reutlingen concluded that it was difficult to prevent the heaving effects in the building ground of the Schömberg town hall due to its foundation on oil shale. The roof of the town hall was found to be dilapidated, and the cost of renovating the roof was estimated to be 300,000 euros, with the cost of slate renovation at 430,000 euros. The expert report suggested that the long-term assessment of renovation costs compared to a new building was uncertain.
The "Verein Stadtbild Deutschland" criticized the city administration's decision in favor of demolition, suggesting an external reconstruction of the building as an alternative. However, the upper heritage authority in Tübingen concluded that a permanently successful renovation was not possible, leading to consent for demolition.
Former mayor of Albstadt Rainer Mänder, Bernd Mattern from the engineering office bmatt Architecture, Geoteam Rottweil, and Berghof Environmental Engineering are accompanying and advising the city administration on the project. The new town hall will be built in its place, with the roof turret and the town hall clock preserved and integrated into the new design.
The new building, scheduled to be completed in the near future, will be fully electrically operated to minimize environmental impact and designed to meet strict accessibility standards, reflecting modern sustainability goals and community needs. The new town hall will be a testament to Schömberg's commitment to progress while preserving its rich history.
[1] City of Schömberg Press Release, 2022.
The decision to demolish the SchöMBERG town hall, despite opposition from preservationists, was driven by the deteriorating state of the building, with expensive renovation costs for the roof and foundation, as highlighted in the expert report from Faltlhauser and Krapf office. The new home-and-garden, a modern, fully electric town hall, will reflect the region's commitment to sustainability and accessibility, while preserving the town hall clock and roof turret as part of its historical heritage.
