Erlwein-Gasometer

In 1909, amidst the bustling cityscape of Dresden, a colossal structure began to rise, the Erlwein-Gasometer. This wasn’t just any gas holder; it was a marvel of engineering, the first self-supporting reinforced concrete structure in Europe. The Erlwein-Gasometer, designed by the visionary architect Hans Erlwein, became an iconic landmark. It served the growing city, holding 110,000 cubic meters of gas to illuminate streets and homes. This ingenious design held excess gas during periods of low consumption and automatically fed it back into the system when demand surged. The Erlwein-Gasometer was a testament to innovation and foresight. Its massive, cylindrical body, towering six stories high, was supported by five cubic stair towers. Erlwein’s clever placement ensured that from any vantage point, three towers were always visible, creating a harmonious symmetry. Numerous, regularly spaced windows and pilasters further enhanced this visual balance. A flat dome, crowned with a low, round ventilation lantern, completed the structure. The Erlwein-Gasometer wasn’t merely functional; it was a work of art. Sadly, time took its toll. In 1945, during the bombing of Dresden, incendiary devices struck the gasometer, burning it from the inside out and damaging the plant. Despite quick repairs and partial restoration, the switch to natural gas eventually led to the plant’s closure in 1973. The Erlwein-Gasometer continued as a buffer but was eventually decommissioned. The first gas holder was dismantled in 1974, and the others were abandoned. By the 1990s, the Erlwein-Gasometer’s roof was near collapse, and in 1998, it was demolished. Today, while the roof is gone, the outer shell remains. Across from this shell stands a smaller, older gasometer, converted in 2006 into the Panometer Dresden, an exhibition space showcasing panoramic art. This surviving structure, built in 1880 from sandstone, reminds us of the Erlwein-Gasometer’s legacy and the site’s history of innovation.