Day 2 | Essen
We stayed in Essen the following day and hit the buildings around the city via tram, train and lots of walking. Every morning was pretty refreshing since after a decent breakfast of fresh rolls with butter, ham and cheese, a delicious bowl of yoghurt and a hot cup of coffee, we would take a brisk walk down the hill to the train station.
First up, the Zeche Zollverein, an old coal mine industrial complex which has been awarded the UNESCO world heritage site status. This insanely massive industrial complex took up a huge chunk of our day. This has to be the most stunning coal mining complex ever. A conglomeration of brick and red iron buildings dominate the area with large cylindrical pipes and rectangular shafts zig-zagging their way through the complex, spanning long distances at a time. I can only imagine what it must have been like when it was in operation back in the early 20th century.
On the way out from the Zollverein, we stopped by the SANAA Building, which fell a little below expectation but it did manage to get me some stunning images through the play of geometry.
Then, off we were to the Aalto Theater, one of the most famous theaters in Europe as we took a guided tour of the very carefully thought circulation spaces from the entrances, to the ticketing booth, coat check, balcony, seating, and even a nice insight into the backstage areas. And into an impressive 3 storey high freight elevator.
The last building we took our interest to was the Folkwang Museum by David Chipperfield which features a nice balance of courtyard spaces punctuating the building in different areas. A design feature I truly appreciate but I only wished those courtyards were accessible. As time was limited, we only managed a quick scan of the art on display and after that, some of us decided to return to the Aalto Theater and watch the ballet perform to soak in some culture.
Fair warning dear gentles, this post features about 30 photos which would make it the post with the most pictures up until now. So, I hope you enjoy them:
| Willkommen
| The Zeche Zollverein
| Shaft XII of the Zollverein
| impressive height
| iron connections
| from the bottom up
| the orange highlighted elevator bringing you into the part of the Zollverein converted into a museum
| in the Zollverein
| 'prohibited passageway'
| the stairwell
| striking use of orange lighting on the staircase in a pitch black stairwell
| on the staircase
| interesting floor treatment incorporating the old railway tracks
| pipes and things
| SANAA Building
| at the corner of the facade
| interior shots
| large randomly placed picture windows
| heavy industrial machine-like structures
| immense pipes stretching for miles
| an exhibition we visited in one of the complex buildings
| one of the tall, yet slender brick flues
| the humongous platform on the coking plant building
| the Aalto theater
| along the corridor overlooking the atrium in the Aalto Theater
| the view from the balcony (where I sat later in the evening)
| the theater seating with the balconies above
| David Chipperfield's Folkwang Museum
| entrance to the museum
| looking out into the courtyard spaces of the museum
More to come.
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