The Gläserne Manufaktur – a car factory in the middle of the city

Almost two decades ago, you realized a forward-looking production facility with the Gläserne Manufaktur. What were the requirements?

Martin Henn: At that time, we formulated the requirements in dialogue with the client. Questions concerning the Dresden location and the extent to which production is being developed into an experience for customers were discussed. In contrast to conventional delivery centres in the automotive industry, the Gläserne Manufaktur not only makes it possible to experience the handover of the vehicle, but also and above all its production. The most important points in the design were transparency in the sense of interaction between the customer and the product as well as between the building and the city.

Did the concept for the Gläserne Manufaktur work from the beginning or were adjustments necessary?

Martin Henn: One of the goals was to give the luxury car Phaeton a desirability that would strengthen the car's brand impact. In addition, there was the idea of anchoring the experience in a city steeped in history like Dresden, and not in front of the city's doors as usual, but right in the middle of it. The design thus added something new: a factory that opens up to the city both locally and functionally. This concept has proven to be very successful. After all, the Phaeton was produced there for about 15 years.

Today, the Gläserne Manufaktur stands for e-mobility and digitalization, as a think tank for start-ups and a place of experience for the mobile future. To what extent does that still fit together?

Georg Pichler: In fact, the new use also fits very well with the concept at the time. The interior was of course designed with the message of the Phaeton (the Phaeton can no longer be ordered). Currently, the first big step is to align the customer tower with the new audience; refined wall surfaces, which at the time were suitable for the Phaeton product, are replaced by new, modern and innovative materials. The whole project is basically getting a refresh that radiates even greater openness. The existing relationships and processes of the customer tower, assembly, restaurant and showroom continue to prove their worth. You don't have to rebuild it.

Martin Henn: In addition, the existing production can be applied very well, perhaps even better, to the topic of e-mobility due to its aesthetics, technology and transparency.

Does the Gläserne Manufaktur stand for a return of industry to the city?

Martin Henn: Yes, because thanks to digitalization, production is becoming much more compatible with the city. In the inner-city area, manufactories are nothing unusual. There are a wide variety of professions from cobblers to jewellers, who usually sit behind a window in their shop and work on their product. You can see the love and skill that goes into their work. The same happens when you walk through the Gläserne Manufaktur and watch the product being created. In order to provide an appropriate framework for this valuable creation process, the equipment of the Gläserne Manufaktur is aesthetically at a very high level. For example, you won't find a parquet floor anywhere else in the world in a car production facility.

What is the relationship between the Dresden-based company and the Gläserne Manufaktur?

Georg Pichler: At first, the town's residents were not enthusiastic. That was a difficult situation. After all, part of the Great Garden, albeit a comparatively small part, was to be built on. The word production also understandably evoked fears. It would also have been unthinkable to build a conventional production facility with a paint shop and press shop at this prominent location.

Martin Henn: When I talk to Dresdeners today, the project fills them with pride. With the concept of the manufactory and the opening of the building to the public, something has been given back to the people of Dresden.