“A colossal structure of steel and concrete. That’s the KET-Halle” This imposing building northeast of Weimar’s train station holds a story. A story of industry transformation and adaptation. The KET-Halle wasn’t always known by that name. Originally built between 1939 and 1942. It was part of the Gustloff-Werke a massive industrial complex. The Nazis expanded it into a model factory during their reign. This immense structure once housed the largest shed roof hall in Thuringia. Imagine its size 127 meters by 144 meters.
After World War II the factory became a state-owned enterprise producing agricultural machinery. Then came privatization in the 1990s. The area was redesigned. The KET-Halle along with other buildings became part of a new industrial and commercial zone. The name KET-Halle comes from the “Kartoffel-Ernte-Technik Weimar” company. A firm that used a portion of the vast space. The KET-Halle a symbol of Weimar’s industrial past has seen significant changes.
In 2012 an investor acquired the KET-Halle. This investor’s plans were ambitious. They involved transforming the immense roof into a huge solar power plant. This innovative approach combined historical preservation with modern technology. The solar panels on the KET-Halle are now a testament to this vision. A unique blend of past and future. The KET-Halle stands as a reminder of Weimar’s dynamic history. It’s a site that successfully blends industrial heritage with sustainable energy solutions. It’s a story of transformation resilience and ingenuity. A story written in the very fabric of the KET-Halle itself. A story we can continue to discover and understand.