July 2016: Conversion Appeals to German Werkbund Planners
The Werkbund of Bavaria has offered itself to the municipality as a possible collaboration partner to tackle the mammoth task of converting the air base. In the most recent meeting of the conversion committee Christian Böhm, chairman of the institution, and some of his colleagues presented their first ideas on the project. The team might be able to give some ideas, encourage and lead expert-level discussions and contribute its know-how.
Who or what is the Deutsche Werkbund?
The Deutsche Werkbund (German Association of Craftsmen) is an association of architects, artists and industrialists established in 1907. By its own account, the combination of art, industry and crafts paved the way for an innovative urban building culture and design as well as on overlapping social processes. The association pursues its aims through events, excursions, publications, exhibitions and exemplary construction projects, is non-profit oriented and its members do not hold any financial interests.
Why has the Werkbund offered itself as a collaboration partner?
The Fürstenfeldbruck conversion appeals to the Werkbund. The site is an exciting challenge in terms of its size and location. It is a unique possibility to advance the urban development of the town. The aspect of coming to terms with history is also a crucial factor. How can history be anchored in such way that it is still visible once the site’s use is converted.
For that, one has to know the historic references, deal with the site-specific identity and practice joined-up thinking with the neighboring communities. “You should only organize an urban planning competition when you know what you want“ says the town council. It suggests that guidelines should be drawn up first. Participation and intermediate activation were further keywords on the way to a vibrant new urban quarter.
The Werkbund has voiced its strong interest in possibly even realizing a trendsetting Werkbund residential area on the site. A “Werkbund Residential Area“ work group has been established already.
