The company Theaterhaus Stuttgart, now in existence for 18 years, is one of the best known alternative theatre operations in Germany. For more than ten years, they held their avant-garde productions in a former factory in the suburb of Wangen, where they created performance spaces that could seat 200 and 400, but they always found themselves running to the limit of their budget, so needed larger premises, more facilities. Meanwhile, the city authorities were wondering what to do with another industrial area of the city, Pragsattel. In the course of setting up a prestigious international competition for a masterplan in 1992, they noticed a significant factory building designed by Emil Fahrenkamp in 1923. It had been the regional depot for Thyssen's steel operation, a storage house for redistribution of steel sections and components, though by the 1990s it was in poor condition with holes in the roof, reduced to a holding centre for asylum-seekers living in containers. The monumental east elevation remained, however, along with the less important north wall and an elegant steel skeleton. Listing it as a historic monument, the city sought an opportunity for reuse, but some large-scale function was needed to take advantage of the spans, respect the scale, and avoid a numbing subdivision. Director of Theaterhaus Stuttgart, Werner Schretzmeier asked Peter Hubner for a feasibility study on converting the building, and there followed some five years of exploration and development. State funds were available because of the listing, but conversion had to meet with the approval of the heritage authorities. And the important steel structure could only be left exposed by arguing for a relaxation of the fire regulations. Since the building was so large, further uses had to be found beyond the alternative theatre group, so a home was added for 'Music of the Centuries' along with facilities for sports.

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A crucial earning function is the staging of pop concerts, which had to be accommodated as well. A foundation was set up, and funds put together for a relatively economical development, the initial works involving a work-creation scheme for the unemployed. The theatre company hoped to save money by reusing its existing technical equipment, but in the event all had to be renewed, and more funding had to be found. In the end, though, a remarkably cheap building was achieved in terms of square metreage, but only through some very careful project management.

Typical of its period, Fahrenkamp's Rheinstahl-Werk consisted of a great toplit shed for steel-handling linked to a more domestic-looking side wing of offices, all in tough, naked brickwork. The shed had a central wide span and two side aisles, an order strongly expressed in the end facade, the centre being marked with seven huge vertical windows and the aisles with pairs of wide sunken arches, each sitting on a stone string-course. These details set a cyclopean scale. Internally, the central span peaked on rounded trusses. These were supported by deep lattice beams and rows of columns running back into the plan. Lower sloping roofs covered the side aisles, borne on the edge by brick outer walls. By the time of conversion only two of the original four walls remained, and Hubner chose to accommodate his new programme by relocating his new walls further out in plan, absorbing bands of daylit accommodation on the south and west sides.

The theatre director called for black boxes of various sizes with linear removable seating, and this extreme flexibility was also required for other functions, such as pop concerts. The largest performance space, seating up to 1050, found appropriate place on the central axis behind the seven vertical windows of the monumental facade. This left space for another room of the same width at the opposite end behind the west facade, this time daylit and usable as a sports hall. This light 'white box' contrasts with the black ones, toplit and beautifully decorated with fritted glass panels left over from the Finnish Pavilion at the Hanover Expo. The main approach is from the street on the north side, where a low outer wing and a narrow court belonging to the old factory complex now serve as a cafe and beer garden. It made best sense to enter in the north-western corner, using the northern aisle as foyer. A glass wall opens the end of the space completely at the west end, interrupted only by a suspended container which projects through the glass as a publicity device. The new foyer connects directly with the side court and cafe through the old north factory wall, whose scale is set by tall narrow windows.

Within the foyer, the original roof structure remains, and also the original rails for travelling cranes. This is in the end the most visibly industrial space and the point of most dramatic collision between new and old. The temptation to purify the old steelwork has been resisted and it retains some of its patina, the paint peeling in places. The new roof cladding above is grey and industrial, relieved by rooflights that also recall the idea of factory. After passing through a ticket hall and bar, the foyer rises in a great flight of steps to meet the upper end of the raked seating in the main theatre and to give access to the raised halls beyond. This allowed a small performance space, Hall 4 seating 150, to be slipped under the floor beyond the steps. Medium-sized halls 2 and 3, seating 450 and 350 respectively, were placed on the other side of the building in what had been the southern aisle, reached by a pedestrian cross-street running between the largest halls.

A nonprofit store in Springfield, Mass., that specializes in recycled building materials has announced it could be selling more lumber because of a state law that will ban the disposal of wood debris and other construction materials, according to a report in the Republican (Springfield, Mass.).

ReStore Home Improvement Center has plans to create a lumber recovery service to help contractors, material haulers and others comply with the legislation that goes into effect July 1, banning the disposal of lumber, asphalt, bricks, concrete and metal.

ReStore then plans to sell the recovered lumber, according to the report.

The store accepts material from homeowners, contractors, contractors and municipal collection centers.

Every home is different. Every family is unique. That's why our home mortgage consultants and personal bankers will recommend a home mortgage or equity loan that's particularly right for you.

We have a variety of loans with features and benefits that range from simple to sophisticated financial plans.

But whichever home financing plan you choose, trust that all of our loans have competitive rates, flexible terms and affordable payment options.

Wells Fargo can help you turn home ownership into a foundation for wealth building. And if you already have a home that has built up equity, then we can construct a plan to turn your home into a working asset. And your home is your financial base. So, let's talk. Please join us at a Wells Fargo Wealth Building Strategies Seminar near you. Together, we can determine the home financial plan that's right for you. When Tracy Allen contacted Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, the nation's leading retail mortgage lender, she had no idea she could purchase a home with no money down. Like most renters, she thought she was years away from owning a home. But, that didn't stop her from researching her options. She explained her financial situation to Ken Beckles, a Boston Wells Fargo Home Mortgage branch manager, and together they embarked on the road to home ownership." Ken educated me about the home-buying process. He was wonderful."

Educating the home buyer is key to helping consumers understand the various mortgage options available to them. Ken explained the products and services within Wells Fargo's National Homeownership Program[SM] such as the Wells Fargo no-money-down loan program that allows customers to finance 100% of the cost of the home. Individuals with credit concerns or who have not accumulated savings for a down payment can learn more about Wells Fargo's flexible programs and loans. All first-time home buyers are encouraged to read our Homeownership Guides, speak with a mortgage consultant and attend our home buyer's seminar.

The no-money-down mortgage feature was the right strategy to help Tracy purchase a late-1800s, two-unit home for $192,000. She was only required to pay closing costs, which were approximately $1,000. Ken helped Tracy go from renting to owning rental property. Now, she uses her rental income to supplement her mortgage.

Helping Homeowners Renovate Homes

When Michelle Jones Boxley first saw her three-bedroom, 1940s row house, she realized she found a diamond in the rough. Like many older homes in the Washington, D.C. area, the row house needed renovations. Michelle wasn't deterred. She knew that improving her new home would positively impact her community.

But Michelle had to figure out how to pay for the $25,000 in home improvements. After unsuccessfully reaching out to several lenders, a friend recommended Wells Fargo, the nation's leading home mortgage lender. Michelle contacted Yvonne Gipson, a home mortgage consultant/renovation specialist, and together they created a financial plan that fit Michelle's particular needs.

Yvonne recommended that Michelle refinance her existing mortgage with a renovation loan. A renovation loan is a mortgage product that allows a customer to get everything they need with one loan, making it easier for people to purchase the home of their dreams as well as make repairs. And, the buyer can borrow an amount based on the improved value of the home.

"Yvonne asked me what I wanted to do and I created a list--new hardwood floors, a Jacuzzi, a new bathroom and vanity, a new roof and a new AC system." Now, Michelle's 1940s row house reflects her contemporary lifestyle and her commitment to the community.

Homeowners Build Wealth

When Hans and Lisa Kappel bought their home, they knew they were taking the first step to wealth building. "The biggest advantage of home ownership is equity."

After their second child arrived, the Kappels wanted to make home improvements and have a readily available source of cash to meet any unexpected family needs. They contacted Wells Fargo, the nation's leading home mortgage and home equity lender. They worked with Vincent Samson, a branch manager in Atlanta and were able to access the equity in their home with a home equity loan from Wells Fargo, Now the Kappels have a nest egg they can access for home repairs, improvements or simply to meet the needs of their growing family.

And for homeowners who have built up equity and want to diversify their portfolios with real estate, purchasing a second home is a smart investment opportunity. Since it's an investment, the objective is for the value of the property to increase.

While all guys want a perfectly sculpted body, when it comes down to working out, many of us have more excuses than motivation. The gym's too far away. I've had a rough day at work and I'm tired. I'm addicted to the Internet. Blah, blah, blah.

Well, you can kiss those excuses goodbye.

* Can't make it to the gym? We give you three workouts that can be done at home.

* Don't have a lot of time? Give us a mere 20 minutes three times a week, and we'll hit all the major muscles of your body.

* Don't have a lot of equipment? Try one of three different routines: a workout for those of you with only a barbell, weight plates and a bench; a workout for those with only dumbbells and a bench; and one for you poor saps who don't have any equipment at all.

So what's your excuse now? Pry yourself away from that computer screen and try these quick muscle-building regimens

Whether you're new to weight training or are a veteran lifter, you will benefit from these workouts, especially if you fit one of these profiles:

* The guy who works out consistently, but is about to enter a busy period that won't leave him time to complete his regular workout. Our clock-conscious routines will help you maintain your muscle and conditioning.

* The beginner who isn't quite ready to join a gym. These routines will acclimate you to training, and help you learn basic exercises and develop neuromuscular coordination.

* The experienced exerciser looking for an additional workout routine. If you're currently doing a three-day body-part-split and would like to add a fourth day, any one of the workouts presented here provides a great way to hit your entire frame a second time during the week.

* The guy who has hit a plateau in his training program and needs a shock routine. One of these 20-minute full-body regimens will give your body a whole new stimulus.

* The equipment-challenged guy. You don't need a full array of iron to get a complete workout--just a barbell, some dumbbells of your own body weight.

WORKOUT #1

THE NO-EQUIPMENT-NECESSARY WORKOUT

When to use it: Having no access to equipment shouldn't prevent you from getting into shape. A body-weight-only program does have a few drawbacks--mainly, it's hard to manipulate your intensity by increasing the weight load on the muscles, and you really can't effectively work "puling" muscles such as back and biceps. But this program can be just the ticket if you're a beginner trying to break into the habit of training before getting some equipment or a gym membership; if you're traveling and want to maintain your shape on the road; or if you don't have the time to do your regular training routine but you want to do something.

1. BODY-WEIGHT SQUAT (legs) Put your hands on your hips or fold them over your chest (1a). From a standing position, feet about shoulder-width apart, squat down until both knees reach 90 degrees (1b). As you lower yourself, keep your lower back slightly arched, head up, and stick your glutes out as if you were going to sit in a chair. Also, be sure that your knees aren't out past your toes as you descend--if they are, you're not moving your glutes back far enough on the descent. Once you reach the bottom position, flex through your quads, hamstrings and glutes to power yourself back up to a standing position and repeat.

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2. SIDE-TO-SIDE LUNGE (legs) With your hands on your hips, assume a comfortable stance, feet shoulder-width apart, head up and torso erect (2a). From there, step with your right leg straight out to your side, as deep as you can go without moving your left foot. Plant your right foot and bend your right knee to 90 degrees (2b). Then, flexing the muscles of your thigh, push yourself back up to a standing position and repeat the movement with your left leg. Alternate side to side in this fashion until you've completed 10 reps per leg.

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3. INVERTED PUSH-UP (shoulders) Place your feet on a chair and your hands out in front of you at shoulder-width. Without moving your feet, creep your hands backward until your body is bent almost 90 degrees and your head is facing the floor. Press up until your arms are straight--you should resemble an inverted V (3a)--then slowly lower your head toward the floor until your arms are almost bent 90 degrees (3b) and repeat.