Take part in the ideas contest
Invitation to the international ideas contest "Space for ideas"
The State Capital Stuttgart is holding an international ideas contest to gather proposals for ways to use the “Space for ideas” directly beside its future central station. From 15 May 2024 to 15 July 2024, people from around the world are invited to submit ideas for future use of the space at Manfred-Rommel-Platz, which features the skylight-like “light eyes” through which light will flood into the future train station below. The space itself is slightly larger than a football pitch and has the potential to become a new calling card for Stuttgart. It can be a space with genuine appeal and an impact that extends far beyond the boundaries of Stuttgart.
We’re looking for creative ideas for specific ways we can use this space at the entrance to Stuttgart Rosenstein. The aim is to make people feel able and welcome to use this prime location in Stuttgart in the future, ensuring that they can identify with whatever is built there.
By awarding prize money for the best ideas, we’re hoping to encourage participants to submit their ideas and actively shape the development of our city.
The opportunity to participate ended on July 15, 2024.
We would like to thank all participants for the hundreds of submissions received. You can find an overview of the next dates here.
The platform for submitting ideas can still be viewed here.
Stuttgart is the state capital of Baden-Württemberg and is located in the south-west of Germany. The city sprawls across a basin between forested hills and vineyards, giving it a unique location. The geographical location has been an important factor in Stuttgart’s development. The surrounding vineyards and hillsides create a breathtaking landscape. At the same time, the city has been heavily influenced by the automotive industry. This combination of urbanity and nature makes Stuttgart an attractive place to live. The city is also renowned for its diverse cultural offering.
Today, there is a terminal station in the centre of Stuttgart. However, work is currently underway to transform this overground terminus into an underground station. At ground level, on the roof of the new station concourse, a new square will be created with round, skylight-like windows dubbed “light eyes”, which will allow light to flood into the concourse below. An area currently taken up by tracks leading into the terminal station will be cleared to make way for a new district: Stuttgart Rosenstein.
The city is seeking ideas for ways to use the space directly adjacent to the future Manfred-Rommel-Platz, the location of the “light eyes”. With dimensions of roughly 60 x 117 metres, the site offers scope for pioneering, future-focused design. It is currently the site of platforms for the terminal station.
What is there to win?
A
total of 30,000 euros in prize money
A
total of 24,000 euros in prize money is available for the award - the jury will
decide on the exact distribution. It can give more weight to ideas than others,
but does not have to. In addition, the jury has a further 6,000 euros at its
disposal for recognitions - i.e. for ideas that have not received a prize but
stand out due to their remarkable achievements. (All prize money is stated in
gross figures).
The
jury
The
jury for the international ideas contes consists of citizens, members of the
municipal council, the youth council as well as the Mayor for Urban Development, Housing and the Environment Peter
Pätzold. They are joined by experts from the fields of culture, science,
business, tourism, sociology, architecture/planning and ecology.
Click here for a more detailed overview of the jury.
What is the purpose of the ideas contest?
The international ideas contest’s objective is to develop ideas that are not only outstanding but also breathe fresh air into design plans for the site, generate international appeal and keep the needs of the people of Stuttgart in mind. The numerous wishes and needs expressed by the people of Stuttgart in the previous engagement phase should also be innovatively incorporated.
From individuals to corporate teams, and from pupils and students to clubs and associations, everyone is welcome to submit ideas.
Anyone interested in the contest can get involved and submit proposals for the Space for Ideas either individually or as part of a group. Each group must nominate one person to coordinate their submission as the project manager. Children can either ask their parents or guardians to submit ideas on their behalf or contribute to a group idea with a project manager (e.g. a school class, with the idea submitted by their teacher).
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There were various ways in which you could be supported in developing ideas.
– We invited all international participants to an Online Symposium on May 28 at 5 pm (in english).
– The "Game of ideas" could playfully guide you through the development process.
![A3 Ideenwettbewerb Header Ideenwerkstatt Workshop]()
Field of Ideas
Where the platforms of the terminus station are still located today, something completely new can be created on an area of around 60 x 117 metres. Your suggestions, wishes and concerns are already being asked for in the participation section. The best ideas for this area will then be selected in an international brainstorming session.
Row of trees and/or green façade
A row of trees is planned between the light eyes on Manfred-Rommel-Platz and the special unit A3. Alternatively or as a supplement, a green façade design might also be possible.
Manfred-Rommel-Platz
Manfred-Rommel-Platz is part of the future Stuttgart railway station. The light eyes of the station concourse are located here. Large parts of the square are to be greened.
Bonatzbau
Europaquartier
The new Europaquartier is being built directly adjacent to the special unit A3.
Schlossgarten (Municipal garden)
LBBW (Landesbank)
What do I need to know about the location?
The space for ideas is situated in the heart of Stuttgart in the immediate vicinity of a number of other exciting spaces and buildings. Towards the city centre, the space is adjacent to the future Manfred-Rommel-Platz, with the striking “light eyes” of the new central station. To the south-east is the Mittlere Schlossgarten – a popular public park – and a future entrance to the new station. At the same time, once the current platforms and tracks are cleared, the Space for Ideas will also serve as an entrance to the new district of Stuttgart Rosenstein.
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A row of trees is to separate the A3 Unit from Manfred-Rommel-Platz (on the left). Alternatively, a green façade is also possible. A multi-level underground car park with parking spaces for cars and bicycles is planned. The entrance from the central station is at a higher level than from the Europaquartier.
![A3 Ansicht]()
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The A3 Unit is directly accessible from the roof of the underground station. Direct connections from the concourse into the building are also possible. The city train tunnel runs underneath the concourse.
![A3 Ansicht2]()
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The Athener Straße (on the left) with its greenery is some six metres higher than the Schlossgarten (on the right). The city train runs underneath Athener Straße.
![A3 Ansicht3]()
Basics from the previous year
In the summer of 2023, we conducted an exploratory phase of engagement – complete with an additional online element – to ask people about their wishes, needs and concerns in relation to the Space for Ideas. In total, over 2,000 people from Stuttgart took part in the survey. The wishes and needs of the city’s residents should support you in developing your ideas. And, when it comes to assessing the submitted ideas and selecting the winners, the feedback gathered from the travelling exhibition will help the jury to make their decision. Feedback to date has highlighted several topics that should help you to develop your ideas. However, you are free to develop ideas that go in a different direction.
In the following, you can find an overview of the results of our public engagement work in 2023 that describe criteria for a good idea. To get you started, here is an overview of the topics and results of the survey, which describes what characterizes a good idea in each area.
But also take a look at the detailed documentation of the process (in German).
Answers to important questions
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Potential uses of this site are already the subject of much discussion in Stuttgart, ranging from a culture and conference centre to a potential museum or a multicultural centre. The goal of this ideas contest is to look beyond these proposals and generate new, unexpected ideas for use of the space. There’s no limit to how creative these ideas can be.
But your ideas should meet the following criteria: The ideas should take account of the site’s surroundings. However, they should not include changes to existing plans for the surrounding areas, as set out in the Stuttgart Rosenstein framework plan, or entail changes to existing buildings. A row of trees will separate the Space for Ideas from Manfred-Rommel-Platz. An alternative idea would be installing a greened façade. Plans for the levels below ground contain a parking garage with bicycle parking and/or car parking spaces.
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A jury comprising members with a range of different perspectives will assess your ideas and collectively select the winning proposals. The jury will be made up of 32 people from the following fields: Local residents, Stuttgart Youth Council (Jugendrat), Members of Stuttgart City Council as well as Peter Pätzold (Deputy Mayor, responsible for Urban Development, Housing and the Environment). In addition, experts from the fields of culture, business, tourism, science, architecture/planning, (urban) sociology and (building) ecology will also serve on the jury.
Further information on the jury can be found here.
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During the submission phase, a range of tools and services will be available to help you develop your ideas or connect with other creatives.
The game of ideas can help you when submitting your idea. This is optional; you don’t have to use this method. However, this format offers a playful way to engage with the site and gradually lend shape and structure to your ideas.
Workshops: Would you like support in developing ideas or would you like to join forces with others? Then come to one of our three workshops in the Stuttgart Rosenstein exhibition rooms.
International submissions are also very welcome! We’re keen for an outside perspective to breathe fresh air into our plans. We’ll be hosting an online symposium in English on 28 May 2024 at 5pm so that international entrants can find out more about the contest and ask any questions. In addition, we’ll be in attendance at the Urban Future Conference in Rotterdam on 5–6 June – to network and develop new ideas.
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2024
- Submission deadline: 15 July 2024
- Jury shortlist: Over the summer of 2024, the jury will examine all submitted ideas and draw up a shortlist of up to 50 of the best ideas.
- Jury decision: On 6 November, the jury will make a final decision on the winners of the contest and recommend how the selected ideas should be taken forward.
- Press conference and exhibition launch: On 8 November, the winners of the contest will be publicly announced. The winning ideas, along with the other shortlisted ideas, will be showcased in an exhibition.
- Awards ceremony: On 19 November, the winning submissions will be celebrated and exhibited at a high-profile awards ceremony.
2025
City council resolution: Stuttgart's city council decides which utilization proposals should be further examined . The Office for Urban Planning and Housing then translates these into an urban development use concept with a spatial plan in a workshop process. This forms the basis for a feasibility study and an architectural realization competition, the winning design which will ultimately be realized. -
Interested Stuttgart residents were able to apply until June 15 2024.
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You can find all the important information about the submission in the conditions of participation on the submission platform. Compliance with these conditions of participation is decisive and binding for all submissions.
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Disjointed sentences or photos of individual elements, such as a bench or a fountain, wouldn’t be acceptable. It’s just not enough for us to work with!
Please also note: submissions must contain a clearly presented and/or described idea for the use of the area A3. Individual keywords or content that do not relate to the surface will not be considered a sufficiently presented idea and will be excluded from the process. Submissions must also relate to the footprint of the are A3, as shown in the graphics, and must not significantly interfere with the surrounding buildings or the plans for the Europaquartier, which adjoins the are A3.
Further documents for download
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On 15 May 2024, Prof. Susanne Dürr gave an inspiring keynote speech at the kick-off event of the international
ideas competition. Professor Dürr is a member of the Jury. -
The international online symposium for the ideas contest took place on 28 May 2024. You can find the presentation here.
Presentation (PDF)
