Project
Liverpool, United Kingdom 2009
Raumlabor approached this project with the questions: is reinventing the history of a place a good idea, when the current accepted history isn't helping the present situation? Finding, as in our case, no suitable point of departure/entry for a solution to apparent urbanistic problems, is it possible through the interweaving of truth, urban legend and invention to inspire regional pride in the inhabitants of a desolated residential area? And when this (hi)story is presented in a positive light, could it get the ball rolling? Is it possible by reinventing a history to create a new perspective for a site which has undergone a century of urban catastrophes?
Mannheim, Germany 2008
Construction work is going on at “Wonders of the Prairie”. In the eyes of the public a boat is built from pieces of wood, junk, and offset-metals at the Alte Feuerwache. A sign points out that raumlabor-berlin is building a submarine which will be sent onto a „dangerous“ journey on the Neckar and Rhein to Ludwigshafen on Sept. 20. At its destination it will be handed over to the Kunstverein Ludwigshafen.We are looking for ten courageous persons who navigate the vessel on the difficult journey and for persons who want to participate in the building of the boat.
Stolzenhagen, Germany 2006
In 2006 we held our first workshop on experimental building in Stolzenhagen. The participants, from the areas of architecture, design, craftwork and psychology, took part in a discussion on experiment in rural and urban building, life and residence. The group built a roof terrace on top of an empty stable building. This wooden construction serves as both a retreat and a lookout platform and is the perfect place for reading, sunbathing and picnicking.
Berlin, Germany 2005
What meaning does the historical centre of a city carry and who has sovereignty over that meaning? Shortly before the demolition of Palast der Republik in Berlin, raumlaborberlin built a huge mountain formation in, on and in front of this controversial building. The mountain showed that even a rough concrete ruin can become home to people, their past and their dreams. Its size, grace and speed, along with the countless installations, performances and record numbers of visitors to it, caused a great storm within the political debate a storm which unfortunately calmed all too quickly. However, this still remains one of the boldest projects on this list.
Berlin, Germany 2000
(All German allotment gardens are named after Daniel Gottlob Moritz Schreber) Lots of people dream of having a home in an allotment garden area if only it weren’t illegal... “Schreber’s Delight” used gaps in the building regulations to provide a home for two people. The combination of a shed, a green house and a (life) sculpture make 45m² of highly compact, luxurious living space.
