#32 Renovating the Old WU, but How?

In the second part of our mini-series on the Alte WU, we explore in the studio how large-scale structures can be renovated rather than demolished. Together with Johannes Bretschneider (Urbanism, TU Wien), Ariadne Hinzen (Kollektiv Raumstation), André Krammer (Urbanism, TU Wien), and Lisa Schönböck (Architects for Future), we discuss the reasons for preserving existing buildings beyond heritage protection, the challenges involved in transforming megastructures, and what is needed for a successful renovation of large-scale urban structures.

Johannes Bretschneider teaches and conducts research at the Department of Urban Design and Planning at TU Wien. One of his main research focuses is the relationship between large-scale structures and the city. Among other projects, he has engaged with the Alte WU site through a teaching course.

Ariadne Hinzen is a member of the collective Raumstation. The Raumstation is based in the Alte WU and works with experimental spatial exploration methods, artistic-activist interventions, and participatory processes in urban spaces.

Andre Krammer is an architect and urbanist in Vienna. He holds ongoing teaching assignments at TU Wien (at the Institute for Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, and Planning, and the Institute for Architecture and Design) and is an editor of dérive – Journal for Urban Research.

Lisa Schönböck studied architecture in Vienna and has since worked in the field of educational architecture. Renovation and working with existing structures are central themes in her work. She is also a board member of Architects for Future Austria.

Further information:
Allianz Alte WU

Credits – Episode #32
Concept: Lukas Bast and Ariadne Hinzen
Recording, audio, and editing: Lukas Bast

ZUKUNFT STADT Podcast – Production:
Lukas Bast, Larissa Benk, Lisa-Marie Kramer, Lena Hohenkamp, Madlyn Miessgang, Nico Schleicher

Intro music: Jakob Kotal

The ZUKUNFT STADT podcast is a project of the Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Planning at TU Wien. It is produced through a collaboration between the future.lab and the Department of Local Spatial Planning at TU Wien.