Urban Phoenix Berlin

In this programme, the participants will be asked to bestow unique social values to dormant urban megastructures as part of sustainable regeneration. Taking a deep dive from urban-scale exteriors to interiors, we will explore novel solutions for restaging spaces with unique legacy values.
Why is this important? Society is at an inflection point, but decisive action is not being taken to match the urgency of the situation: The IPCC’s target numbers for global emissions in 2030 seem unattainable, mass migration and the displacement of people is continually increasing due to war, financial crises, and effects of climate change. Prices for new construction continue to skyrocket, while all sectors are struggling to procure a skilled work force.

Weaving the strands of climate change, mass migration, and energy and resource crises into one narrative, students will deliberate their understanding of true sustainability and subsistence. As a basis for this, we are moving our quest to the former Tempelhof Airport. The site allows the programme to tackle highly political architectural and urban questions such as the reuse of bound grey energy and the interconnection and activation of this urban-scale site with the surrounding city. Simultaneously, students will have the opportunity to weave questions of identity and belonging, types of spatial appropriation and modes of use, symbiotic space typologies, urban mining, and hybrid worlds into their narrative.

Why the choice of Tempelhof Airport? Europe’s largest continuous landmark with over 300.000m² of gross floor area was constructed as one of the world’s first airports. While introducing highly innovative construction methods as well as spatial concepts such as the separation of logistical and personnel flows, it has had an eventful 80-year history: Erected during the building frenzy of the Third Reich, it was only taken into use by the US Air Force after WWII, during which time its numerous buildings were creatively put to use, from hotel to army living quarters to bars, restaurants and night clubs. After its brief spell as a civic airport, it was decommissioned in 2008. While a large number of buildings are currently occupied by tenants, significant parts have lain empty for many years and the building appears to be hermetically sealed off towards the outside and the surrounding urban fabric. The tug-of-war which the various Berlin fractions have played over its future use has resulted in a stalemate for a long time. Simultaneously, almost 3.000 asylum-seeking migrants have been given emergency housing in and around the airport structure, making the global crisis visible at an architectural scale within the Berlin’s city centre.

Course leader

Edith Wunsch

Target group

The workshop is open to current architecture and design students, recent graduates and young professionals. +18 y.o. age requirement.

A fluency in English is required, as this will be the communication language.

Software Requirements: Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino or Sketchup, CAD, PowerPoint

Course aim

The goal is to empower students in their ability to negotiate architectural and urban solutions with innovative approaches and to take a critical stand on how their design decisions impact different social groups.

Fee info

GBP 695: Fees do not include flights or accommodation, but accommodation options can be advised. Students need to bring their own laptops, digital equipment and model making tools.

Scholarships

20% bursaries available to current AA students, your fee will be altered upon AA log in during the registration. If you have any issues, please get in touch with the Visiting School office.