Bachelor thesis by Maria Dathe in summer semester 2024 | Focus on space
CIRCULAB design studio and laboratory for recyclable materials research
Circular material innovations made from algae, fungi, waste or recycled materials have become increasingly important in recent years. Used in packaging, furniture, clothing or the construction industry, they make a significant contribution to achieving climate neutrality and, in the long term, must be increasingly integrated into our everyday lives. This is why the Circulab is to be built in the heart of Stuttgart, at Kriegsbergstraße 28: A place where research into recyclable materials can be driven forward and new ideas can be developed, tested and communicated.
At Circulab, research teams and start-ups will have the opportunity to test prototypes, network and grow with the help of special funding programs (such as the German government's Cultural and Creative Industries Initiative). The different approaches of the individual research teams enrich the scientific work and give rise to new ideas. The premises at Circulab cover a wide range of requirements: in addition to various workshops, there is an office area, a chemistry and biology laboratory with a clean room, as well as a garden. The open-plan workspaces encourage collaborative, interdisciplinary use. The flexible floor plan structure makes it possible to rearrange the rooms again and again.
The existing structure defines the interior spaces and is continued in the form of a roof extension.
By using sustainable, recyclable or biodegradable building materials, the theme of the circular economy is brought to life both inside and out. The preservation of the existing building also embodies the principle of reuse. All these measures underline the basic principle of the Circulab: let's waste less, recycle more and find alternatives that are circular and sustainable.
The bachelor thesis was supervised by Prof. Monika Joos-Keller
