Strom.Linien.Form.
At the end of the winter semester, the results of a semester of collaborative work are taking shape in the wood technology workshop in Immenstadt: A prototype for the new wooden cladding of a concrete transformer station is being built by wood technology students with the support of architecture students.
The wood technology class at the Immenstadt Vocational School and the master program in Architecture at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg are planning and carrying out a joint timber construction project during the 2024–2025 school year and winter semester, respectively. The cooperation between planners and builders—which is essential in professional life—is to be practiced as early as the training phase in order to deepen students’ understanding of the approaches, challenges, and job profiles of the other side in the construction industry at an early stage.
Degree Program:
M.A. in Architecture
Partner:
- Immenstadt Vocational School Center, represented by Director Peter Eisenlauer; supervision and project coordination by Markus Unsinn, “Strom-Linien-Form”—Immenstadt State Vocational School Center
- Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg
- Architekturforum Allgäu e.V., represented by Franz Schröck Start
- Holzforum Allgäu, represented by Maike Breitfeld STROM.LINIEN.FORM | Holzforum Allgäu
- Allgäuer Überlandwerk GmbH, represented by Michael Lucke and Maik Fritsche; Residential Customers – Allgäuer Überlandwerk
Contact:
Prof. Wolfgang Huß
Construction Project
The general electricity supply is a key infrastructure function. Allgäuer Überlandwerk GmbH (AÜW) is responsible, among other things, for the electricity supply in the Allgäu region. It builds and operates the substations used for electricity distribution. Standard solutions are used for construction, consisting of prefabricated reinforced concrete modular units supplemented by flat or gabled roof elements.
These small buildings are designed primarily with technical functionality in mind, which also shapes their appearance. Many locations could be significantly enhanced through a design better adapted to the specific situation and the addition of new functions. This would contribute to the local character and architectural culture of the Allgäu region.
The general electricity supply is a key infrastructure function. Allgäuer Überlandwerk GmbH (AÜW) is responsible, among other things, for the electricity supply in the Allgäu region. It builds and operates the substations used for electricity distribution. Standard solutions are used for construction, consisting of prefabricated reinforced concrete modular units supplemented by flat or gabled roof elements.
These small buildings are designed primarily for technical functionality, which also shapes their appearance. Many sites could be significantly enhanced through a design better adapted to the specific situation and the inclusion of additional functions. This would contribute to the local character and architectural culture of the Allgäu region.
How It Works
Ten groups were formed, each consisting of two wood technology students and two architecture students, who worked together to develop proposals. The groups worked together under supervision for a total of four workshop days and, in the meantime, exchanged ideas on their own to move the project forward.
The workshops took place both at the Immenstadt Vocational Training Center and at the University of Applied Sciences in Augsburg.
All projects were presented to a panel of experts; Allgäu Digital provided its presentation room in Kempten for this purpose.
Reviews
The jury was composed of local architects, representatives of the carpenters’ guild, the “clients,” the Allgäu Architecture Forum, and the two participating educational institutions.
After an in-depth discussion, four projects were awarded prizes:
3rd Prize: Paula Feigen, Max Köberle, Tamara Orlet, Anna-Maria Schatz, Julian Schöb
3rd Prize: Roman Hold, Hannes Klotz, Emilio Reger, Kilian Stachel
2nd Prize: Frederik Doll, Leon Fischer, Jonas Meis, Lisa Peter
1st Prize: Isabel Bodenmiller, Michael Häring, Pascal Liebenau, Johannes Zwicker
The winning design is characterized by a delicate tectonic structure, a restrained design that blends well with its surroundings, effective use of materials, a convincing structural wood preservation system, and a beautiful, inclusive design concept that offers spaces for gathering and exhibitions in the form of elements that fold out from the facade.
Result
Just one month later, the wood technology students and some of the architecture students met again in the workshop to build the first-place design as a prototype. After three days of intensive work, the new enclosure was test-assembled in the workshop on a transformer “dummy” made of OSB panels. The project was then installed at a prominent location in Kempten.