From May 2 to October 31, a vibrant space for creativity and dialogue will take shape at Langgasse 5–9, right in the heart of Wiesbaden’s pedestrian zone: The Wiesbaden City Museum Foundation, architect Sandra Düsterhus (POINT.Architektur), and Prof. Jörg Waldschütz, together with students from the Communication Design program at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, are transforming the former department store into an open space for exchange, ideas, and civic engagement.

As part of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 (WDC 2026), the WerkRaum brings together projects from Wiesbaden and the surrounding region, highlighting how design can accompany social developments. As a so-called “fourth place”—beyond home, work, and consumption—the WerkRaum invites people to actively help shape the city, share perspectives, and experiment with new forms of coexistence.

Exhibitions, workshops, discussions, and participatory formats bring together stakeholders from urban life, culture, academia, and civil society. The space is constantly evolving and remains in flux throughout the entire duration of the project.

WerkRaum kicks off with the theme of community. The focus is on what binds Wiesbaden together—and which places, initiatives, and commitments foster a sense of belonging.

A diverse program of exhibitions, dialogue, and participatory activities launches WerkRaum as a new gathering place in the city. The kickoff event is the all-day opening on May 2, 2026, featuring presentations, workshops, and cultural performances.

Each month at WerkRaum Wiesbaden focuses on a specific theme that addresses key issues of urban life. These themes will be further developed over the course of the program and complemented by a variety of events.

The series kicks off in May with the theme of community. In the following months, the focus will turn to topics such as the relationship between people and the environment, public spaces, and perspectives on sustainable urban development.

Throughout its run, WerkRaum will offer a diverse program featuring lectures, workshops, guided tours, and hands-on activities. This includes the opening event on May 2, 2026, exhibitions, as well as regular discussion forums and collaborations with local initiatives and institutions.

WerkRaum Wiesbaden sees itself as a “fourth place”—a space between work, home, and consumption. It invites people to think about the city together and actively help shape it. Initiatives, associations, institutions, and projects from Wiesbaden and the surrounding region are given a platform here to showcase their ideas and engage with one another.

Exhibitions, workshops, discussions, and experimental formats create opportunities for participation and open up new perspectives on the city’s future.

Initiated by Sandra Düsterhus and museum director Sabine Philipp, the project is being co-designed by Prof. Jörg Waldschütz and students from the Communication Design program at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences. With expert support from Sandra Düsterhus, the students are also developing their own creative approaches in seminars and contributing their perspectives to social discussions. 

Whether through sponsorship or promotional support: The WerkRaum Wiesbaden team is looking for individuals, companies, and networks who would like to support the project with their ideas, dedication, or resources. We are looking for:

• Sponsors who support WerkRaum Wiesbaden through in-kind or financial contributions (for example, in the areas of printed materials, equipment, or technology) > Contact: Sabine Philipp, s.philippstadtmuseum-wiesbadende
• Ambassadors who raise awareness of the project in their communities and support it through
  their influence – Contact: Laura Domes, l.domesstadtmuseum-wiesbadende
• Awareness Ambassadors who actively help facilitate participation—for example, by overseeing events or assisting with setups and renovations—Contact: Laura Domes, l.domesstadtmuseum-wiesbadende

WerkRaum Wiesbaden is being developed in collaboration with numerous partners from the city’s civil society, cultural, educational, and business sectors. Through their projects, ideas, and dedication, they contribute to the success of this temporary space. “Such a comprehensive undertaking is, of course, only possible with a great deal of support—including financial support. We would like to extend special thanks to the Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain, which is supporting the project with a very substantial sum. But dialogue partners such as the Wiesbadener Volksbank, which reaches many citizens of Wiesbaden right here in the heart of downtown, are also enormously important for a project like this,” says Director Sabine Philipp, who hopes to attract even more dedicated supporters.

WDC WerkRaum Wiesbaden – Open to Your Ideas

Sandra Düsterhus, POINT. Architecture, and Sabine Philipp, sam – Wiesbaden City Museum Wiesbaden
City Museum
Foundation Bierstadter Straße 1
65189 Wiesbaden

Project Management:
Laura Domes, +4915756345282, l.domes@stadtmuseum-wiesbaden