Selection of architects by: ORTE Architekturnetzwerk Niederösterreich
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
KUNSTMEILE KREMS, AUSTRIA
What could an architect elaborate during a 2 months period in an artist’s residence program? As far as it is not that common for architects to be part of
these programs I had no idea what to expect… But the experiment has been
successful and I will keep it as a precious memory.
My goal of participation in this program was the process of experimentation on
the edge between architecture and art.
Coming to Krems with the intention to develop a site specified project of architectural interventions in the public space; plus the chance to interact with artists from other fields, exchange ideas, to visit the large artistic platforms that are available in Vienna and in
Krems.
The project
Architectural experimentations in the public:
The redesign of Sudtirolerplatz in Krems
The project questions the role of contemporary architecture as a factor of change in the public space. It investigates the ability that small urban spots have to provide certain ideas, feelings etc to the artist; to become the motive for a fruitful dialogue between the architect and the urban system.
In the case of Sudtirolerplatz in Krems, the main target is to transform the space in front of the Steiner Tor into something meaningful. Today it is mainly a left space concurred by cars passing and parking. At its best it is the spot for the first and the last photo taken by visitors in front of the symbol of the city. The goal for an architectural intervention is to transform this open space to an active part of Krems urban life and public image; to provide an interesting dialogue between the old and the new.
Through these two months project different alternative proposals are developed. It is more an open-end experimentation of the possible transformations of a site through different approaches: From small installations to dramatic transformations.
The results have been exhibited through the following slide show during Lower Austria Open Studios Days October 18 and 19 2008 at Top 25 in AIR Artist-in-residence Kunstmeile.
