The Stellwerk

The Stellwerk during a period of structural change in industrial culture

The Stellwerk Zollverein is part of the former coal mine Zollverein’s shaft system 4/5/11. In the past, the switch tower was used to control the railway traffic on the coal mine. However, by closing the active coal mining in shaft 11, the switch tower was no longer needed. In order to renovate the Stellwerk and turn it into a studio for artists, the Triple Z AG applied for financial funding from the State of North Rhine Westfalia program for city parts with additional needs for renovation in 2001. Companies of the Triple Z center then renovated the Stellwerk together with young building workers from a youth training program. Today, the Stellwerk offers an attractive 80 square meters living and working apartment including a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. The former control room with its large glass front forms the center of the studio and the widespread forecourt offers enough space for outside work. In order to support the work of the Stellwerk Zollverein e.V. organisation, the renovated Stellwerk was handed over to and is now operated by the organisation.