SWOT-Analysis of Halle 14 in the Cotton Spinning ... - Central Europe

Halle 14 and its surrounding in the city
HALLE 14 e.V. and hence the twin functions of storage and exhibition area could generate additional momentum. On
the whole, however, attention must be paid to the aspects making up the identity of Halle 14 to ensure that its slightly
vague external profile is not completely dissolved.
6.5 Future ideas
Halle 14 is in future to be established as an independent gallery of contemporary art and fitted into the coordinated
blend of different cultural uses on the site of the former Leipzig Cotton Spinning Mill. Market-economy exploitation
criteria should not be applied as the project is non-commercial. The building should serve a communication platform
benefiting society and hence both promote artistic and intellectual exchange and facilitate networking. Halle 14
should be regarded as a large workshop, play area and experimental field. A distinction is drawn between extensive
and intensive uses on the various floors of the building, which is reflected in the design planning.
How the studios which are still to be created are used in the future is important since they will form the basis for artistic,
creative exchange. The accompanying international networking and cooperation would also position Halle 14 as a
place of crystallisation and provide important momentum.
The intended uses of Halle 14 have already been largely planned and fixed in the usage concept. On the ground
floor, the construction of a second cube in the large exhibition area and the development of another area for small
exhibitions or events are planned. This use, too, could be augmented by socio-cultural activities and projects in order
to create a broader basis. The construction of ten studios and three apartments for artists and recipients of grants
from HALLE 14 e.V. as well as international partners is planned on the first storey together with the creation of an
exhibition area in the front section of the floor. Moreover, other areas on the second floor next to the HGB premises
will become available following the departure of the Columbus Art Foundation. The third floor will in future be used for
collector cooperation and large exhibitions of for example sculpture as well as for events. The roof is to be turned into
an outdoor area with restricted use.
Augmenting the artistic theme, regenerative energy is also to play an important part in Halle 14. The use of heat-andpower
cogeneration and other forms of sustainable energy generation could serve as a pilot project for the Leipzig
Cotton Spinning Mill and similar architectural ensembles elsewhere.
Fig. 8: Exhibition rooms at the Leipzig Cotton Spinning Mill (source: Leipzig Cotton Spinning Mill)
6.6 Summary
The site of the Leipzig Cotton Spinning Mill is unique in Europe. Once the biggest cotton mill in continental Europe, it
is situated in the district of Plagwitz in west Leipzig. About 10 hectares in size, the site features relatively well preserved
building stock harbouring diverse opportunities for artistic and commercial uses. After the closure of the last
production line in the year 2000, new scope arose for the pioneers who had already arrived along with the potential
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