Urban Mining Student Award 2024/25: Second place for Wuppertal architecture students Noah Sattler and Andreas Witrahm
Die Gewinner des diesjährigen Urban Mining Student Award – 2. Preis an Noah Sattler und Andreas Witrahm (hintere Reihe links) / Foto: Markus Bussmann
The competition was aimed at architecture students in German-speaking countries and called for sustainable ideas for the conversion of a former industrial site in Warendorf - with a particular focus on reuse and resource awareness.
The supervised project was developed as part of a design studio at the Chair of Building Construction, Design and Materials Science under the direction of Prof. Annette Hillebrandt. The aim was to demonstrate the potential of urban mining as an architectural design strategy and to develop a holistic utilization concept for the area on the Emsinsel in Warendorf.
The “Cinelofts Warendorf” project impressed the jury with its combination of resource-conserving construction methods, socially mixed housing and cultural use. Instead of demolition, the focus here is on conversion: an existing building originally intended for demolition will become the identity-forming focal point of the district. The plans include a cinema, restaurants, studios and green roof areas to promote biodiversity.
Particular attention was paid to the recovery and reuse of existing materials such as shed roofs, trapezoidal sheet metal and brickwork. These elements were reinterpreted not only functionally, but also in terms of design - for example as sun protection, roof structures or raised beds along the new cultural axis of the district. The design is complemented by various forms of housing, including barrier-free shared apartments, a boarding house and a children's daycare center.
This contribution is an example of how architecture can take responsibility for the environment, existing buildings and social needs. Prof. Annette Hillebrandt: “We submitted the design to the competition because it is an example of how the consistent application of urban mining principles can not only create spaces that conserve resources, but are also socially and culturally valuable”.
The success in the competition is a wonderful recognition of the students' commitment and intensive creative engagement with sustainable building.
The Urban Mining Student Award itself originated at the University of Wuppertal. It was initiated there by Prof. Annette Hillebrandt together with her former research assistant Anja Rosen and organized over several years. This year, the competition was organized for the first time by the Münster School of Architecture - under the direction of Prof. Dr. Anja Rosen.
Contact: Lehrstuhl für Baukonstruktion, Entwurf und Materialkunde
