New Rauher Kapf West district: Demolition of the IBM laboratory begins!

New Rauher Kapf West district: Demolition of the IBM laboratory begins!

There are big changes in sight in Böblingen: the dismantling of the historic buildings in the Rauher Kapf district is imminent. This heralds the beginning of a new district: “Rauher Kapf West”. This is not only a step into the future, but also marks the transition from a popular residential area to a modern residential area with numerous new offerings. The official demolition of the IBM laboratory is scheduled to begin next spring. As the SZBZ reported, the total area of ​​the construction area is around 13 hectares. Around 1,200 apartments are planned, as well as daycare centers, a primary school and a shop.

The dismantling of the IBM development laboratory is a central part of these new construction projects. Norbert Ketterer from Greenpark Böblingen GmbH will be responsible for the development. The city of Böblingen is extremely interested in this transformation of the district. The existing buildings should be cleared before demolition to make space for the new projects.

A look into history

Not only the future, but also the history of the Rauher Kapf is exciting. The district is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As part of these celebrations, the city archives under the direction of Dr. Christoph Florian highlighted the architectural significance of the settlement. Originally built due to a housing shortage and a lack of building land, “Rauher Kapf” has developed into an important cultural site. The name itself, which has been documented in writing since around 1830, refers to uneven, stony ground and is translated as “Kapf”, which means “to look”, and refers to the landscape of the region.

Interesting historical details show that the area was built around 1962 based on a joint decision by the local council. At that time, Mayor Wolfgang Brumme spoke of the need to use forest areas. IBM employees needed housing nearby, which influenced the choice of location. The original development plan provided space for 328 apartments, which offered space for around 1,180 to 1,200 people.

From the satellite city to new life

The settlement was designed as a satellite town and initially had a poorly developed infrastructure. Until 1990 it only offered a small supermarket and a hairdresser. The planned elementary school could not be realized at the time, but a kindergarten was opened in 1966. The central high-rise ensemble of the settlement was designed by the well-known architect Hans Scharoun.

Now that the demolition of the IBM laboratory is approaching and the plans for the new “Rauher Kapf West” district are becoming concrete, it is clear that an exciting time is beginning for the residents of Böblingen. The development will not only create new housing, but also enable a more vibrant infrastructure that better meets the needs of today's society. A look into the future! The city and its citizens are ready for change.