ARCHITECTURE &
URBAN PLANNING PROJECTS
01
URBAN VOIDS
The Urban Voids project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the housing shortage problem in urban areas, specifically in the Barrio Puerto of Valparaíso, Chile. The project proposes new strategies for creating and delivering adequate housing, testing them on the basis of a concrete plot scenario. Currently, housing solutions in urban areas are limited to state-initiated large standardized housing estates, which are often unsuitable for residents, or informal settlements on the outskirts, which lack basic infrastructure. One of the unique aspects of Valparaíso is the abundance of urban voids caused by various factors, such as earthquakes, fires, speculation in the real estate market, or a lack of maintenance. While these voids contribute to the housing shortage problem, they also hold great potential for revitalizing and adding value to districts like the Barrio Puerto. Through the Urban Voids project, attention is drawn to the untapped potential of these inner-city voids, and a new planning framework is proposed for the housing sector that takes local specifics into account. This framework should be applied across city boundaries and incorporated into new construction projects, providing a sustainable solution to the housing shortage problem while considering the needs of residents and local specifics. Year: 2018 - 2019 Project partner: Ann-Marie Matzke
02
EL BARRIO
The El Barrio project aims to preserve the social life and characteristics of the Moravia community by integrating them into the design of a new high-density housing development. Rather than building high-rise structures that disconnect residents from the street life, the project proposes a vertical growing street system that provides all the functions and spaces of a traditional street. The main street connects three existing accesses and shapes the three main neighborhood blocks, while a secondary street system runs on the first floor level and allows access to more private courtyards. The shared courtyards provide access to the single housing units, and the terraced system offers a continuous visual connection to the city of Medellin while bringing security to the internal streets. The design of the building is meant to be an extension of the urban street, encouraging social ties and improving the quality of life for residents. Year: 2017 Project partner: Erica Venturini
03
DESIGN-BUILD
The Bella Vista boarding school is a unique project that was planned and built during the second building phase of the Agronomy Campus in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The school was designed and constructed by a group of students from the Technical University of Berlin, who collaborated with a female labour group from the women’s cooperative called Procasha and a professional bricklayer crew from the Building Restoration firm Roland Schulze on site. The building serves as a supportive learning environment for approximately 75 students studying agriculture. The project is distinguished by its international and interdisciplinary collaboration between experts, students, and craftsmen/women from both Germany and Bolivia. This collaboration fosters the mutual transfer of knowledge between academia and practice and between different disciplines, making it a remarkable and innovative undertaking. The Bella Vista boarding school stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of international partnerships in promoting sustainable development and educational opportunities. Year: 2016 - 2017
04
FOODTURE
The FoodTure project aims to tackle the issue of malnutrition in Colombia by promoting food education and healthy eating habits. At the heart of the project is an open kitchen called "Cocina Popular", which is run by community members and offers cooking classes, workshops, and community dinners. To reach a wider audience, the project also includes a mobile kitchen that can be temporarily installed in different parts of the Moravia neighborhood in Medellin. In addition, a part of a plot of land that was affected by a fire will be transformed into an urban agriculture project, promoting the growth of a more resilient food ecosystem. The project provides a space for sharing knowledge and skills between neighbors, promoting a better understanding of food cycles and healthy nutrition, and creating consciousness around healthy food. Year: 2017 Project partner: Erica Venturini
05
BURNING MAN - ART CAR
During the summer of 2022, I had the opportunity to work alongside a talented and creative team to transform an old school bus into an incredible art car for Burning Man. Using recycled wood and materials, we crafted a functional vehicle for the community, commonly known as a mutant vehicle. Our art car, Angel, was designed by the carpenter Cory Whisler Mast, with the stairs being created by Alexis Iliinsky. Burning Man is an annual event that takes place in the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada, USA. It is a unique and vibrant even that celebrates self-expression, art, and community. Each year, thousands of people from all over the world come together to create a temporary city in the desert, where they can freely express themselves and engage in a wide range of artistic and creative activities. We were proud to have contributed to the event's atmosphere of innovation and creativity.