By creating a central Federal Institute for Photography, the competences for restoration, archiving, conservation and digitisation of old photographs, which have so far been decentralised but diverse, are to be bundled in one place.
The task is to design a centre of excellence for the preservation of Germany's photographic and visual heritage. Both the necessary contents and the possible locations of this institution have been and are being discussed in many different ways, including in politics and among experts. There are numerous different interpretations of this project and the process of finding a location has not yet been completed. Thus, there is no concrete programme to be implemented yet. For our part, we are using this momentum to freely and fictitiously explore the possibilities of a Federal Institute of Photography at the Ehrenhof in Düsseldorf within the design course. The aim is to develop independent and strong design concepts that develop and demonstrate options and qualities for the institute and the location at the Hofgarten, without claiming to make a realpolitik contribution to the existing discourse.
The essential elements of constructive design are taught within three exercise units, in conjunction with a coordinated series of lectures.
The old town centres in Hessian villages no longer seem to meet today's requirements in terms of their small-scale nature. Characteristic small annexes such as sheds and stables show a diversity that, however, often conflicts with modern uses. Dense structures typical of the region are being dismantled, buildings that characterise the locality are disappearing and many villages are in danger of being converted into a monostructured settlement of single-family houses. On a hillside site in Arfurt an der Lahn, the project will investigate whether and how typical, dense building in rural areas can be further developed in keeping with the times.
By working on atmospheric models, a possible future scenario is to be sketched within three tasks, from the analysis of the existing situation to design fragments.
