C.O.A.L. Project Exhibition Venue Region Ruhr

Hansa coking plant - Dortmund

First the C.O.A.L. exhibition was presented at the Rondo Sztuky, a modern gallery and the urban eyecatcher of Katowice. The second stop will be at the Hansa coking plant, an industrial monument in Dortmund-Huckarde.

We cordially invite you for the C.O.A.L. exhibition in Hansa coking plant.

Opening: Sunday, 31.08.2008, 12.00.

D-44309 Dortmund

Emscherallee 11

Tue - Sun 10-18.00

www.industriedenkmal-stiftung.de

The Hansa coking plant went into operation in 1928 during the course of extensive rationalisation measures and large business mergers. At the time efficient modern coking plant were replacing aging plants on colliery sites. As a central coking plant Hansa was at the heart of the integrated production process in the Dortmund coal, iron and steal industry. The coking plant took coal from the neighbouring collieries, including the adjacent Hansa Pit, and delivered coke to the “Dortmunder Union” iron and steel mill.

Coke production at the Hansa coking plant in Dortmund-Huckarde ceased at the end of 1992 and the plant was threatened with demolition. The destruction of the rare and fascinating industrial unit was prevented by the combined efforts of politicians and local grass-roots organisations. Since 1997 the coking plant has been one or the sites belonging to the Foundation for the Preservation of Industrial Monuments and Historical Culture. It is also its business headquarter.

In 1998 parts of the Hansa coking plant were added to the list of Dortmund’s protected monuments. The plant is remarkable for several reasons. One of its special features is that it authentically documents the state of coking technology as it was in the 1920s and 30s. The clear architectural design of the buildings in the style of the 1020s has been retained despite several phases of modernisation. Hansa is additionally important because it was the last remaining central coking plant of the era to be deliberately included in the integrated production process leading from the colliery, via the coking plant and steel works to the gas grid. Alongside its technical and architectural aspects the industrial plant has its value as an industrial monument because of its significance in the development of the suburb of Huckarde.