In the seminar Public, Concrete we investigate the potential of public concrete squares as whereabouts. The forecourt of the HfG serves both as a model and testing ground for such spaces. What characteristics and peculiarities does this square bring with it? How, when and by whom is the forecourt used? What interventions can designers make to improve the quality of the forecourt? Based on these analyses, designs and prototypes for temporary architectures, interventions or mobile places to stay were developed.
The project consists of different modular flat shapes that can be arranged together and folded in multiple ways to create seating and playing spaces. Soft materials will ensure comfort, whereas foldable shapes will create elevated surfaces to play on. To enhance the playfulness of the experience, the structure will be colorful and games will be provided. Have fun playing!
The temporary installation “gathering under a piece of fabric” brings together students of HfG and the interested public on the occasion of the annual Rundgang. The construction, inspired by a market stall, creates a vague yet defined space to gather and marks at the same time the entrance of the HfG.
The concept aims to represent the building through a modular system of foam furniture that allows for different sitting, laying, and leaning arrangements. The foam furniture represents the soft, fluid nature of the students, while the hard structure of the building is represented by the
concrete. By combining these contrasting elements, the concept seeks to create a unique and dynamic representation of the building, while also providing comfortable and functional seating for students and visitors.
We were kindly supported from Neveon, who provided us with their foam and custom fabricated the models for us.
Stones strive to blend in with their surroundings, seamlessly becoming one with nature. They go about their day without anyone noticing their emotional changes because they have no facial expressions, pretending everything is okay. It's only in the dark of night, when the world goes quiet, that they can finally let out a breath and confront their emotions. They don't need much, just a glimmer of light in the darkness and a song to find their redemption. Isn't that relatable to us? Our sensitivity often stays silent during the day, but at night, we can truly express ourselves and let it all out. Here, as a safe place, we light up the surroundings for you and play your favorite song. We provide a comfortable space where you can have a dialogue with yourself.
We aim to make a space where strangers can come together around the monolith and the Monolith is a solar-powered phone charging station which would encourage people to take a break from their devices and enjoy some offline time. However, more than just a physical structure or a charging station, it is designed to serve as a social gathering spot, fostering connections between individuals which we could not for 3 years. Inspired by the monolith in "2001: A Space Odyssey", the Solar Monolith is designed to rotate according to the sun's direction. This rotation allows for the size of the shaded area to the side of the monolith, allowing people to gather and share experiences.
For most people who do not study here the forecourt is simply a walkway, a distance to overcome to reach your destination. In contrast, for the people of HfG it is a place to meet, study, talk, eat and rest. We provoke passerbys to question their path and view of the space by furnishing the court with seating areas. By making everything two-dimensional we criticize the idea of a public space made of flat concrete while also encouraging creative usage of the existing ground. The ever changing signage shows the possible interaction of users with the nonphysical space and invites the reenactment of this performative exploration.
Der Tagebau: ein gigantisches Loch schier nicht greifbaren Ausmaßes, etwa 2 1⁄2 auf 3 1⁄2 km groß und 200-300m tief, mit Baggern, die tags wie nachts arbeiten, rattern, leuchten, schwer sind.
Am Rande dessen Lützerath: ein Ort, an dem eine andere Art Gesellschaft gelebt wird, Wohnen in Baumhäusern und Holzhütten auf dem Boden, wo jeden Tag dreimal
gemeinsam gekocht wird und immer irgendwer irgendetwas werkelt.
Von Feldern und kleinen Dörfern umgeben blickt die Utopie der Dystopie in die Augen und bleibt standhaft - bis zuletzt. Gleichzeitig wird der Ort zum explosiven Gesprächsthema, bei dem über Recht, Radikalität, Gewalt und Klima heiß diskutiert wird.
In der Installation wird die Größe des Tagebaus greifbar. In einem Maßstab von 1:500 liegt die Tiefe der Grube bei ca. 50cm (1:1 ca. 250m), die Länge und Breite belaufen sich auf ca. 5 x 7m (1:1 ca. 2,5x3,5km). Um die Dimensionen etwas klarer zu machen: Personen schrumpfen dann auf eine Größe von etwa 3,5mm (1:1 ca. 1,75m). Es bildet sich also eine ca. 30qm umspannende Struktur, die als Sitzfläche funktioniert und aus Naturmaterialien gebaut wird.
The Dream Garden is a place to retreat, linger and dream. Soothing garden herbs embedded in a fabric-covered framework are the starting point of the dreams. Through randomly generated shadows on the dyed textiles, new illusions and flying thoughts are created. The point is to escape from everyday life, to take a moment for it and to linger in childlike naivety and to lose oneself in daydreams. The place where the dream garden is placed also serves as a meeting place, as the ‚drops ́ of the ZKM and HfG meet there. By connecting these drops, different people from different institutions can meet and find each other in the dream.
Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe
Lorenzstr. 15, 76135 Karlsruhe
T +49 (0) 721 / 8203 0
F +49 (0) 721 / 8203 2159
hochschule(at)hfg-karlsruhe.de
www.hfg-karlsruhe.de
Supervision by Freia Achenbach (PD), Philipp Schell (ADSZ)
Design & Development by Niklas Weisenbach
(supported by Jesse Schmeller)
Typeface: Belgika by OSP Type