In 1908, the Exhibition Hall at the Mathildenhöhe Artists' Colony in Darmstadt—designed by the Jugendstil architect Joseph Maria Olbrich—was inaugurated. A century later, schneider+schumacher was entrusted with its general renovation. To begin with, the office had to grapple with the building's historic architectural substance, its complex climatic and exhibition technology, as well as the spatial and design challenges inherent to the iconic structure. Also playing an important role was the building's status as a protected landmark and the decision—announced in the course of the renovations—by a UNESCO commission to declare the Artists' Colony a World Heritage Site.

This richly illustrated volume tells the story of this building while showing readers how the architects have allowed it to speak again for itself, at the same time introducing new voices with the addition of contemporary elements.