Prof. Giovanni Betti, LB Anna Bajanova, WM Christian Schmidts, T Angely Angulo Meza, T Kinan Sarakbi

Weekly meetings at the studio (room 314)

Wednesdays 2 pm - 6 pm

First date: October 25th 2023 at 2 pm

Intro

The environmental impact of our built environment extends beyond energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. Remarkably, a substantial portion of Germany‘s solid waste, around 55%, results from the construction, demolition, and renovation of structures.
Yet, building materials are continuously produced and continuously discarded.
In an ideal scenario, we would avoid the demolition of existing structures altogether. However, when the decision to do so is made, the question arises: How can we creatively manage the materials that become available? What strategies can be employed to transform old building elements into new opportunities for urban space?

Course Thesis and Key Questions

In this course, we will embark on an in-depth exploration of these critical topics, focusing on a unique case study situated in Berlin: the Mondial Hotel on Kurfürstendamm. Not too long ago, this hotel thrived as a luxurious 4-star establishment on one of the city‘s most exclusive commercial streets. Today, it sits mostly abandoned, destined to become a heap of disassembled fragments, the majority of which will be categorized as waste, perpetuating this cycle.

During this studio, we will gain access to the empty shell of the hotel, affording us the opportunity to study, investigate, and critically document its constituent elements. Our cataloging efforts will be followed by virtual and prototypical disassembly and reconstruction activities. Over the course of the semester, we will explore the possibilities presented by this unique catalog of materials, which, due to commercial dynamics, become available before the end of their useful life. We will envision how these materials can continue to contribute to the vitality of our city and support the creation of a sustainable and circular built environment.

Which architectural methods are best suited for implementing an efficient recycling process? How can we develop appropriate spatial concepts to harmoniously integrate recyclable materials into new architectural contexts? What architectural guidelines should we establish to optimize resource allocation and environmental sustainability? To what extent can existing architectural structures serve as a source of inspiration for innovative building projects? In what ways can the aesthetic appeal of used materials be enhanced through architectural design principles?

Schedule

KW 43 - 25.10.23 Intro
KW 44 - 01.11.23 Studio
KW 45 - 08.11.23 Studio
KW 46 - 15.11.23 Studio
KW 47 - 22.11.23 Studio

KW 48 - 29.11.23 Mid Term I

KW 49 - 06.12.23 Studio
KW 50 - 13.12.23 Studio
KW 51 - 20.12.23 Studio
KW 02 - 10.01.24 Studio

KW 03 - 17.01.24 Mid Term II

KW 04 - 24.01.24 Studio
KW 05 - 31.01.24 Studio
KW 06 - 07.02.24 Studio

KW 07 - 14.02.24 Final Presenation