The ADGB School as a Landmark: A speculation on the Future

The idea of continuous renewal, of an architecture able to respond to the demands of the time and society that occupies it, stands at the core of the modern movement. The ADGB School building in Bernau hasn’t been alien to transformation, though not necessarily in a good way. Throughout its history, it has radically changed from a trade-union training school to military facilities during the Nazi and GDR periods. After thorough restoration to a great extent to its original shape, last year it has been added to the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage. The 1929 ADGB School was the result of an architectural competition won by the Swiss architects Hannes Meyer and Hans Wittwer, at the time working at the Bauhaus, the former as Director while the latter in the architectural workshop. The development of the building and its contents counted with the participation of Bauhaus students, from work in the construction site, to the design of furniture and tapestries. The innovative program, its response to the landscape and its social purpose made it an exemplary work.

The renewed image of the building doesn’t fit, however, its current potential. The facilities are not being used to their full capacity and new ideas and understanding of the site are not only welcomed but necessary. The aim of the workshop will be to speculate about potential new uses for the building and develop a preliminary architectural proposal, considering the challenges that the building itself imposes, as well as those derived from its new status as a landmark.

Course leader

Dr. Raquel Franklin coordinates the Department of the theory of architecture at Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, where she also teaches on the History of Modern and Contemporary Architecture.

Target group

architects, architecture students

Course aim

The aim of the workshop will be to speculate about potential new uses for the building and develop a preliminary architectural proposal.

Credits info

There are no credits for this course. After finishing the course successfully, the participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Fee info

EUR 590: The participation fee is 590.00 EUR per one-week course.

The fee includes:
Registration fee of 160.00 EUR (this amount is not refundable)
Course fee of 430.00 EUR

The course fee includes lunch and dinner (Mon-Sat) as well as the preliminary course and all evening events. For several courses we might have to charge an additional materials fee, please see the specific course page for the exact total price.
EUR 220: Accommodations
We also offer you the possibility of overnight accommodations including breakfast at the Bauhaus landmark. The cost of the accommodations depends on your room selection:

220.00 EUR for a seven-night stay in a double room / breakfast
310.00 EUR for a seven-night stay in a single room / breakfast

The accommodations gains also access to the local swimming pool. We recommend attending the course while staying at the Bauhaus monument since this allows you to take advantage of the Summer School’s extensive evening programming without having to commute daily.

Scholarships

Reduced fees for students and young professionals are available through awarded grants (the number of grants is limited).

Please check our Homepage for further Information, under "Grants & Reductions".