SoSe25 - Main Course
The starting point for our work at the department is an appreciation of the existing, which forms the foundation on which we, as architects, can build. Our work is always set within the context of a larger whole; thus, we see buildings less as objects and more as specific structures that are part of an organism, whether built or natural.
Based on these considerations, we would like to engage with a real, upcoming construction project in the summer semester of 2024, which has been brought to our department by the city of Reutlingen. The focus will be on the residential home built by Günter Behnisch between 1971 and 1976 on Ringelbachstraße in Reutlingen. It was constructed as an extension of the nursing home that had existed since 1928, in order to meet the growing demand for care beds.
Behnisch’s architecture is characterized by a strong interweaving of interior and exterior spaces. The building volume is composed of two triangular structures enclosed by differentiated, interlocking façades, creating a strong connection to the surrounding nature. Generous green spaces directly embrace the building, while the view extends into the distance toward the picturesque Swabian Alb and the Georgenberg.
The nursing home was inaugurated in 1976 with 133 beds. However, since 2015, it has stood vacant as it no longer meets contemporary care standards and requires renovation, including for fire safety reasons. Since 2020, the building has been temporarily used as accommodation for refugees. Furthermore, the building has been listed as a historic monument since 2022 and is now to be renovated and expanded while preserving its internal and external appearance. The structural elements are to be retained as much as possible, including the pavilion and the original 1928 building, as well as the characteristic sightlines, façade design, materiality, and color scheme. We see great potential for transformation in the architectural and urban qualities of the existing structure, as well as an obligation to handle the given conditions with sensitivity and thoughtful consideration.
Within this framework, we aim to develop variations that present new possibilities for use and offer the building a perspective for a second life. The project is offered as part of the advanced design course and can only be undertaken as an individual project.
Parallel to the in-depth design project described above, we will focus on a second design project in the summer semester of 2024, addressing the expansion of DDR-type schools and exploring how they can be adapted to contemporary learning methods. We will transform the existing, rather schematic corridor typologies into spatial configurations suitable for all-day schooling and enabling flexible use.
Thematically, we want to focus on creating adaptive yet atmospheric spaces that are open to appropriation and can evolve over time to meet the needs of their users. Additionally, we aim to identify functions that complement the existing school types and establish a relationship with the surrounding neighborhood. By integrating public uses such as a kindergarten, a community center, spaces for seniors, or a counseling service, we seek to activate the buildings for the general public and explore concepts of the "third place." The redesign of the outdoor spaces will be another key focus in the project development.
In the first step, we will construct models of the existing school buildings using grey cardboard, study school buildings through references, and analyze different types. In further exercises, we will explore spatial relationships using interior and structural models. The project will be carried out in pairs, and working in the studio spaces at the department is explicitly encouraged. As part of the advanced design course, an individual project option is available.
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Winter semester 2024 - 2025
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Summer semester 2024
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Winter semester 2023 -2024