An exhibition showcases architectural ideas that are in harmony with nature
ERBACH — About 50 architecture students from
Mainz University of Applied Sciences and
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences set themselves the task of creating designs for unique hiking huts that would fit in with the Odenwald region. As previously reported, the architecture students had already been working on this project in the summer of 2018, and the first exhibits were presented in the town of Oberzent. The results have now culminated in an exhibition titled “Kulturhütte,” which will be on display at the Haus der Energie through March 11.
The opening was part of the energy conference hosted by the Odenwald Energy Cooperative (EGO). EGO had invited guests to the event on Tuesday in the ballroom of the “Volksbank Atrium” at the Haus der Energie in Erbach. EGO Chairman Christian Breunig emphasized that the project makes an important contribution to the topic of “sustainable construction,” in line with the cooperative’s mission. The Odenwald Energy Cooperative supports the initiative and is very interested in its implementation.
Regional Architecture Should Be Reflected The exhibition features projects designed with the aim of incorporating elements of regional architecture as well as landscape and local characteristics. Professor Kerstin Schultz from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, who herself calls the Odenwald home, finally outlined a vision for how this could be implemented in practice.
The ideas are not intended to perpetuate false stereotypes or create empty facades, but rather to open up options from which property owners or farmers could benefit. Why not build cultural huts along popular hiking trails that could increase visitor numbers at well-known attractions—such as the Felsenmeer near Lautertal—by offering overnight accommodations?
In addition to aesthetics, she emphasized that a key feature is consideration for nature conservation and “the aspect of low-threshold feasibility.” She characteristically classified the models as embodying “the simplicity of a slower pace of life.” The idea: Why not spend the night without electricity or other modern conveniences and focus on the natural surroundings? Professor Dr. Julius Niederwöhrmeier from Mainz University of Applied Sciences identified a “longing factor” as the driving force behind the project’s results.
Among the aspiring architects are Mara Schünemann from Erbach and Jennifer Ehrenfeld from Michelstadt—two representatives from the Odenwald district who brought their ideas for a cultural cabin to life in a model. The project received special funding through the Odenwald Interest Group (IGO) with financial support from the European rural development program LEADER.
40 DESIGNS
The exhibition on the topic of hiking huts in the Odenwald, titled “Kulturhütte,” is on display at the Haus der Energie in Erbach (Helmholtz-Straße 1) in the ballroom of the Volksbank Atrium. On display are plans and models of approximately 40 different designs. Photographs of similar hiking huts built in Norway or Denmark illustrate how a concrete implementation might fit into the Odenwald landscape.
The exhibition is open through Monday, March 11, Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Source:
www.echo-online.de/lokales/odenwaldkreis/erbach/vom-modell-zur-wanderhut-te_19984967
