As part of their „Field Studies in Design Philosophy“ coursework, the Landscape Architecture/Urban Planing students engaged in a two-day workshop in collaboration with German architecture students from the University of Applied Sciences on November 3-4, 2011 at the University's facilties in Cologne. The workshop was led by AIB's Prof. i.V. Thomas Knüvener and his colleague Prof. Karzel (Cologne University of Apllied Sciences).
The 18 A&M and five German students were charged to develop a new design for Cologne's Ebertplatz in groups of four or five. Ebertplatz belongs to the Cologne Ring, the grand 19th century boulevard that is core of the first large extension after medival times. It was restructured and redesigned many times - always to accomodate for changing needs. Today Ebertplatz is in a poor state and the question is how we have to change the square again and inscribe our time into the palimpsest of the city.
To that extend, Thomas Knüvener held an introductory lecture on Cologne's urban development, then followed by an extensive site visit/analysis. Afterwards, Frau Koch from Cologne's Department for Urban Planning introduced the group into the Cologne Masterplan and specifically the design proposals in that masterplan for Erbertplatz and other selected sites.
The 18 A&M and five German students were charged to develop a new design for Cologne's Ebertplatz in groups of four or five. Ebertplatz belongs to the Cologne Ring, the grand 19th century boulevard that is core of the first large extension after medival times. It was restructured and redesigned many times - always to accomodate for changing needs. Today Ebertplatz is in a poor state and the question is how we have to change the square again and inscribe our time into the palimpsest of the city.
To that extend, Thomas Knüvener held an introductory lecture on Cologne's urban development, then followed by an extensive site visit/analysis. Afterwards, Frau Koch from Cologne's Department for Urban Planning introduced the group into the Cologne Masterplan and specifically the design proposals in that masterplan for Erbertplatz and other selected sites.
The rest of the time was spent by students developing their designs and presenting them in the afternoon of November 4.
Does the square need more buildings and a higher density? Are the two levels a source for increased activity or much more part of the problem? Can we relate to the different historic layers as a source of inspiration? Answers to these and many other crucial questions concerning Ebertplatz can be found in the students' works.
Does the square need more buildings and a higher density? Are the two levels a source for increased activity or much more part of the problem? Can we relate to the different historic layers as a source of inspiration? Answers to these and many other crucial questions concerning Ebertplatz can be found in the students' works.
