“die gläserne manufaktur” (the transparent factory) visitor information

VOLKSWAGEN’S “DIE GLÄSERNE MANUFAKTUR”
(THE TRANSPARENT FACTORY)
The Phaeton has been assembled at Volkswagen’s
“Die Gläserne Manufaktur” in the centre of
Dresden since 2001. The idea was to create a new
Volkswagen luxury class – handcrafted using the
most advanced techniques the car industry can
offer, yet at the same time founded on the timehonoured
values of factories with a long-standing
tradition. The choice of Dresden as a location was
an entirely conscious decision: cars have been
built in Saxony for no less than one hundred years
while Dresden itself is viewed across Europe as
a city with extraordinary innovative strength. At
“Die Gläserne Manufaktur”, visitors, customers
and anyone interested in Volkswagen can watch
at close hand as Volkswagen’s luxury class comes
into being and enjoy top-class gastronomy and an
extensive range of cultural events. Indeed, this is
where car manufacturing becomes an immediate
communicative event; this is where innovative
technology meets cultural vitality.
Current events are listed at www.glaesernemanufaktur.de,
where you can also register for our newsletter.
KEY FACTS AND FIGURES:
TOTAL INVESTMENT €186 MILLION
EXPANSE OF GLASS 27,500 M2 PARQUET FLOOR AREA 24,000 M2 HEIGHT OF VEHICLE TOWER 40 METER
(FOR 280 VEHICLES)
TEST TRACK TWO TRACKS OF 250 M
FOUNDATION STONE LAID ON 27 JULY 1999
TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY 25 APRIL 2000
OPENING 11 DECEMBER 2001
ARCHITECT PROF. GUNTER HENN
(MUNICH)
VISITS BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT
VIA THE CUSTOMER CARE CENTRE:
Telephone +49 (351) 420 44 11
Fax +49 (351) 420 44 99
E-mail infoservice@glaesernemanufaktur.de
OPENING HOURS**
VISITOR ZONE daily 8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m./
Thu until 10.30 p.m.
STORE daily 9.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.
LESAGE BISTRO Tue – Sat 9.00 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Sun – Mon 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
LESAGE RESTAURANT daily 12 noon – 3.00 p.m.
and 6.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m
To make a reservation
please call +49 (0) 3 51 - 4 20 42 50.
**unless special events are taking place.
For current information on admission prices and opening
times, please go to www.glaesernemanufaktur.de or contact our
Customer Care Centre.
AUTOMOBILMANUFAKTUR DRESDEN GMBH
LENNÉSTRASSE 1 · 01069 DRESDEN
WWW.GLAESERNEMANUFAKTUR.DE
AS AT: 03 | 2011
“ DIE GLÄSERNE MANUFAKTUR”
(THE TRANSPARENT FACTORY)
VISITOR INFORMATION
GUIDED TOURS
FOR INDIVIDUALS
Individuals wishing to see around “Die Gläserne
Manufaktur” can take part in guided tours for
small groups of up to 15 people. If possible, please
contact us in advance to arrange a date and time.
Special terms apply for organised groups. Please enquire at
our Customer Care Centre when arranging your visit.
Guided tours: daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (Thursdays
until 9.00 p.m.) on the hour*
FOREIGN-LANGUAGE GUIDED TOURS
Guided tours in over a dozen languages may be
booked in advance. Tours in English and Czech are
held at the following times:
Guided tours in English: daily at 12.00 noon, 3.00 p.m. and 5.00
p.m.* Guided tours in Czech: Saturdays at 2.00 p.m.*
Other times by arrangement.
GUIDED TOURS FOR CHILDREN
There are no age restrictions to experiencing the
thrill of cars. What’s more, at “Die Gläserne Manufaktur”,
the topic is presented so that it appeals to
young minds.
Saturdays at 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m.*
Other times by arrangement.
ARCHITECTURE GUIDED TOURS
A car factory in the heart of the city? This tour offers
participants informative and unusual insights into
the building’s architectural concept: what was the
vision behind the plant and how was it translated
into reality?
Sundays at 4.00 p.m.*
Other times by arrangement.
* Unless special events are taking place

GLÄSERNES STUDIO
(TRANSPARENT
STUDIO)
ASSEMBLY
VIEWING
PLATFORM
DRIVELINE
02 02 | 03 | 04 06 07 11 11 | 12
08 13
PIAZZA
01 ARCHITECTURE MODEL
The architecture model is the meeting point for guided tours,
which start from here. Centrally located in the entrance
area, it provides an initial overview of the site. In addition,
four interactive terminals offer a 3D virtual flight through
the visitors’ forum.
02 CUSTOMER LOBBY
Opening out as it soars upwards over three levels, the
impressive customer lobby is where special care and attention
are lavished on customers and prospective buyers of
Volkswagen’s Phaeton, Touareg and Passat CC models: from
personal advice and vehicle configuration to the excitement
of vehicle collection.
UPPER LEVEL – LOUNGE
Customers and potential customers can get into the right
mood for their ensuing visit in the refined ambience of
the Lounge. A dedicated customer manager advises guests
about what will happen during their visit to “Die Gläserne
Manufaktur”.
MIDDLE LEVEL – STUDIO
Part of the customer lobby, the Studio is deserving of the
closest attention: a journey of discovery for all the senses into
the multifaceted world of materials and equipment destined
for the three Volkswagen models. A special car configurator
provides a realistic depiction of the customer’s future
vehicle.
LOWER LEVEL – SALON
This is where those buying a Phaeton, Touareg or Passat CC
come face to face with their new vehicle for the very first
time. Vehicle handover is thrillingly staged, and the event
ends with the doors to the terrace opening wide, allowing
the driver to steer his new vehicle out of the building and
onto the road.
03 VEHICLE TOWER
Rising some 40 metres into the sky of Dresden, the vehicle
tower is the architectural emblem of “Die Gläserne Manufaktur”.
This imposing, transparent structure has 16 levels,
providing space for 280 individually configured vehicles,
which are parked here until collection by the customer.
ORANGERY
04 KUGELHAUS
A tribute to the world’s first “Kugelhaus”, which stood here
from 1928 to 1938. Inside the Kugelhaus, promotional films
about various Volkswagen models from decades gone by can
be viewed on eight interactive terminals. A film about the
factory is shown to introduce or round off guided tours of the
plant.
05 GLÄSERNES STUDIO (TRANSPARENT STUDIO)
At a height of twelve metres above the Orangery and supported
by pillars, the Gläsernes Studio offers facilities for
conferences and events in exclusive surroundings and boasts
an unimpeded view of assembly. The circular interior has a
diameter of 20 metres and seats up to 33 people.
06 VISITORS’ FORUM VIEWING PLATFORM
The assembly area is accessed via a lift, which brings visitors
to the upper level. The platform adjacent to the lift doors
offers an impressive view of the entire visitors’ forum.
07 ASSEMBLY VIEWING PLATFORM
Passing the Gläsernes Studio, visitors proceed to the left
through a glass door that leads directly to the assembly area.
A small bridge crosses the assembly line and leads to the
“Nockenturm”, a suite of offices enclosed by the upper and
lower fish-scale production lines. Its roof affords a panorama
of the entire upper assembly area. Here visitors are at the very
heart of the bright, light-flooded factory. No dust, no dirt, no
oil smells; instead, a maple-wood parquet floor and assembly
workers in white overalls.
OFFICES
ACCESS
ASSEMBLY AREA
CUSTOMER LOBBY
L E SAG E
RESTAURANT
VOLKSWAGEN
LOUNGE/
STORE
ARCHITECTURE
MODEL
PIAZZA
RECEPTION
CASH DESK
ORANGERIE
KUGELHAUS
PHAETON
ADVICE
VEHICLE TOWER
Phaeton bodies glide noiselessly through the air. Only the
occasional noise of specific tasks penetrates the ambience of
calm and concentration. An unbelievable atmosphere, but nevertheless
one that can be guessed at from the outside, despite
the transparent glass windows. A close encounter with innovation
and progress: it doesn‘t get more hands-on than this.
08 VIEW OF ASSEMBLY
On the left: a view of the last of the three assembly loops.
This is where the interior is completed: doors and seats are
installed and seatbelts fitted. On the right: a glimpse of the
innovative testing and inspection zone with underbody checks
and a light tunnel. Here the Phaeton stands on its own wheels
for the first time – assembled with care, precision and predominantly
by hand.
09 VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY
Seven interactive video terminals provide information about
the individual assembly stages. Here visitors can learn more
about the complex logistical challenges of Phaeton production
and the high-precision testing and inspection zones. The films
also feature informative insights into external production
stages such as painting and the manufacture of seats, wooden
trims and axles.
10 DRIVELINE
A glass lift transports the driveline, which is preassembled on
the lower floor, from the logistics level up to the second assembly
level for the “marriage”, the moment during production
when the body and the chassis are joined together. As it travels
upwards, the driveline pauses briefly here, giving visitors the
chance to examine the engine, automatic transmission, brake
system and air suspension in closer detail.
VOLKSWAGEN LOUNGE
11 AUTOMOBILE ExHIBITION
The final port of call for all guided tours is the new Volkswagen
Lounge, which can be accessed via the Piazza and is
situated in the area below the Orangery. The Phaeton, Touareg
and Passat CC are all on display in this exclusive setting.
An additional stage is used to provide tantalising glimpses
of the latest models from the Volkswagen brand and as a
platform for temporary exhibitions. Comfortable lounge
furniture provides the perfect ambience for relaxation.
12 STORE
Visitors can also browse the store “Manufakturladen” and its
sophisticated accessories, stylish gifts, attractive souvenirs
and toys in the product segments of cars, travel and design.
The products on sale range from model cars through magazines
and books to items in the exclusive factory collection.
13 LESAGE BISTRO AND RESTAURANT
The unique ambience and superb cuisine of the Lesage
Bistro and Restaurant guarantee a very special experience.
The gourmet “Feinschmecker Guide 2009” lists the restaurant
as the third-best eatery in Dresden. Head Chef Thorsten
Bubolz, rated by the judges of the Saxony Gourmet Award
as Upcoming Chef of the Year 2009, entrances diners with
his outstanding creations ranging from tasty snacks to
multi-course menus. In good weather a visit to the spacious
Terrace Café is a must. The Restaurant hosts a brunch on
Sundays from 11.00 a.m.: savour an extensive buffet and take
advantage of an exclusive opportunity to participate in a
guided tour!