Design Space | Sonny Kwiatkowski | 1st semester | Summer semester 2024
Centre
Preserving existing structures and adapting them to contemporary uses is an important aspect of sustainable architecture. By avoiding the destruction of historic buildings and instead renovating or modernising them, we can reduce waste while maintaining a connection to our cultural heritage. Ultimately, balancing the needs of heritage conservation with innovative design solutions presents a unique challenge that can lead to exciting new forms of expression. I am not interested in maintaining everything that already exists in a generalised way, but rather in approaching each existing element individually and examining its value in terms of usability, effectiveness, economy and aesthetics. My aim is not to see the existing building as an obstacle and try to fight with it, but rather to emphasise its potential and place it in the context of playful modern sustainable architecture. A unique architecture that does not emerge spasmodically, but in the course of a playful design. The site, which is now a listed building, is characterised by its former function as a workplace, whereby the boundaries between public and private are fluid. The very history of the Neckarspinnerei invites us to reflect on the relationship between living and working. An experimental approach opens unusual doors and leaves conventional living behind. It offers opportunities for new styles of living and brings with it challenges that I would like to explore and solve.
Kunst am Neckar
All roads lead to the new centre of the district. Here the focus is on the square. Playful outdoor areas with a freely playable stage create a new colourful life. The paths are extended into adventure trails on which scattered works of art arouse the curiosity of visitors. The architecture creates a space for everyone. The Quariter itself is just as unique as its users. No two rooms are the same. The façade is designed to reflect the diversity and dreams of the users. The axes through the neighbourhood are continued.
The Pentagon will have a solitary reputation and, unlike in the past, will be very open to the public. The ground floor with a mezzanine floor forms the optimal extension of the centre in the warm. Various exhibitions, events, seminars, workshops and catering will invite visitors to the two-storey establishment. The thermal and typological separation takes place from the 2nd floor, which is accessed via two cores. Flats with additional flex spaces for users and visitors are located here. It breaks out of the existing building like a living organ and forms a very diverse structure. Nested spaces offer individually customisable rooms and create an iconic appearance.
The outer shell of the Shedhalle is almost completely retained. In the centre, the winding passage links all the modular workshops and flats and leads south into the head of the building. This zone serves the community. The first floor is occupied by all the artists' studios. They are connected by bridges and create a semi-public zone; the entire space can be used in a variety of ways thanks to the angled areas, narrow spaces and wide spaces. The Shedhalle is open to the public and even welcomes visitors. Various seminars, workshops and small exhibitions can take place here. The Shedhalle is tangent to the Kreativhof and automatically plays a part in it. However, it takes a back seat to the Pentagon.
The student research project was supervised by Professor Rebecca Chestnutt.
