The construction process in pictures

BUILDING WORK IN PICTURES

The construction of the new Halle Planetarium within the listed brick facade of the old gasometer is one-of-a-kind in Germany. Three concrete levels are gradually forming inside the roundel, which is 16 metres high and 30 metres in diameter.

Each wall and each building element must be precisely adapted to the original round shape of the building.

The work has been underway since January 2019 and is scheduled for completion in 2021.

This picture gallery shows the construction work to date and will be continuously updated with the latest photos.

Latest photo

15. July 2021

Targeting the 360˚: The first panels of the Star Dome have been installed. It will be the visitors' window to the cosmos.
29. June 2021

Boundless horizon at the Planetarium Halle (Saale): Just delivered from the USA, the steel construction for the 360° Fulldome is already in place. The journeys through astronomical spaces and times are getting closer little by little.
09. June 2021

A little closer to space: In future, the planetarium's observation terrace will offer views into space. With the naked eye or through telescopes.
07. May 2021

Life support system for future space flights: Pipes, conduits and cables are currently being laid everywhere in the Halle Planetarium. The photo shows the foyer, which again has made enormous progress in construction.
01. April 2021

Erich Kästner would be amazed: Window wall is plastered, interior walls are in place. Pipes and ventilation shafts for energy and oxygen supply are in the works. A "flying classroom" for young space researchers is being build.
01. April 2021

A recent look at the future Star Café: The forms are smoothing out. The Star Café with guest terrace above the foyer.
25. February 2021

Shadowplay in Planetarium foyer: The winter sun sends its light through the new windows of the planetarium.
22. February 2021

The sun, the moon and ... the Halle Planetarium: After the snowy days, from the bright blue sky sun and moon now accompany the further development of the Halle Planetarium.
25. January 2021

The future rooms are taking shape: Looking out of the lift, the lecture room will be on the left.
09. January 2021

Winter idyll at the future Planetarium Halle: Here's to an astronomically good new year!
14. December 2020

Rapidly: The work on the roof level is progressing with giant strides.
14. December 2020

The Star Café revisited: Theoretically, tables and chairs could already be placed on the planned guest deck above.
03. December 2020

Office management and secretariat in construction: One day this will be the headquarters of Captain Schlesier and his space staff.
02. November 2020

Once again from above: The lift shaft longs for its lift and the Star Staircase for its visitors.
27. October 2020

Topping-out ceremony: The director of the Halle Planetarium Dirk Schlesier and the master carpenter Andreas Eckert in the function of the executing foreman are pleased to have the ceremonial wreath lifted over the completed shell construction of the planetarium.
27. October 2020

Impressive: Like a spaceship shortly before take-off. The topping-out ceremony is imminent.
21. October 2020

Arrived at the Observation Terrace: The lift shaft now only needs its lift.
21. October 2020

←P→: What does that mean? Of course: "P" for Passt! („Passt“ comes from the german word „passen“ which means to fit)
21. October 2020

The first windows: While the work on the roof is progressing, the first windows are being installed on the upper floor.
10. September 2020

On the Observation Terrace: From here, visitors will be able to gaze into cosmic expanses.
10. September 2020

On the roof: View of the emerging Observation Terrace with lift shaft.
10. September 2020

Arrived at the top: The roof is ready for the concrete casting.
21. August 2020

Looking up from the Star Room: The impressive support structure for the roof was designed to fit the foundation walls of the gasometer exactly. An architectural unicum!
14. July 2020

On the upper floor: The construction activity is heading towards the Observation Terrace.
12. July 2020

Comet Neowise over the Halle Planetarium: On 12 July, the comet Neowise appeared over the new Halle Planetarium.
06. July 2020

The pour: The concrete for the support structure for the roof is fed in via a special crane.
03. June 2020

Waiting for concrete: The load-bearing reinforced concrete structure for the roof is ready to be poured.
14. May 2020

Future lift exit upper floor: The lift shaft impatiently heading towards the Observation Terrace.
28. April 2020

Done: The steel spider for the roof support structure is in position.
06. April 2020

Approaching: And that's where the floor of the upper storey is supposed to be.
23. March 2020

Complicated steel mesh: The steel spider for the roof support structure is approaching its destination.
18. March 2020

Renovated face: The façade shines in new splendour.
18. March 2020

A view from a dizzy height: The wood covered Star Room is waiting for its roof.
12. March 2020

Stairway to heaven: One of the two staircases is being built between historic clinker brick and modern exposed concrete.
05. March 2020

Closure of the Dome Hall: The concrete casting of the support structure for the Observation Terrace is prepared.
13. January 2020

Still barely recognisable: The future Star Café with seating area above.
15. November 2019

Connecting the levels: The lift shaft grows taller.
10. November 2019

The heart of the new planetarium: The Star Room takes shape.
04. November 2019

Entrance to the Star Room: This is where visitors will enter the Star Room in the futur.
23. October 2019

In a support corset: The first wall of the Star Room is up.
23. September 2019

Inside, too, things are progressing: The floor of the Star Room is waiting to be poured.
23. September 2019

Progress: The car park is already built.
03. July 2019

Extensive work on the inner foundation: The base foundation will be poured in several layers.
03. June 2019

Construction of the car park: Work on the future car park starts in parallel.
27. May 2019

On the construction site: Helmet compulsory is the top priority!
19. April 2019

The foundation is being built: Now it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty!
18. April 2019

Exterior refurbishment: The exterior façade is being refreshed.
31. January 2019

Silent witnesses of the past: Old staircases lead from nowhere into the void. That's about to change soon.
30. January 2019

Start of construction work: First harbingers knocking on the window.
21. January 2019

Ground-breaking ceremony: Director of the Halle Planetarium Dirk Schlesier, Architect Romy Fuchs and Mayor Dr. Bernd Wiegand cutting the first sods.
21. January 2019

Just before the start: Everything is ready for the ground-breaking ceremony.
03. May 2018

Awakening: In 2014, Halle's city council decides to build a new planetarium in the former gasometer on Holzplatz as a replacement for the "Raumflug Planetarium Sigmund Jähn" on Peißnitz Island, which was destroyed by a flood.
02. May 2018

Listed façade: Since a renovation campaign in 2004, only the façade of the gasometer remains. From time to time cultural events are held within its walls.
24. November 2003

Sleeping beauty slumber: Closed down in 1972, the industrial site on Holzplatz, including the old gasometer, falls into a deep Sleeping Beauty slumber for decades.