Die Grube

Students: Danylo Durbak

Die Grube is an experimental pavilion designed to foster open discourse through a hybrid physical-digital space. Located in Sankt Marx, a naturally sunken urban site shaped by youth subcultures, activism, and informal gatherings, the project embraces the DIY ethos—prioritizing accessibility, adaptability, and community-driven construction. The design is rooted in hand-assembled, low-cost materials. A scaffolding system of steel pipes, inspired by the Transmedia Debate Chamber Prototype, forms the adaptable structure, allowing easy construction and reconfiguration. Semi-transparent polycarbonate panels enclose the chamber, maintaining visibility while defining the debate space.

The pavilion integrates with the site’s natural sunken landscape, using its topography to foster intimate discussions, akin to an amphitheater. The ground guides movement and interaction, reinforcing the informal, fluid nature of gatherings. A series of wooden structures on the perimeter serve dual purposes: some function as a fence, balancing privacy with glimpses inside, while others form arches, shaping an adjacent hall that extends the dialogue beyond the main chamber. These elements reinforce spatial flexibility and informality, key characteristics of the site’s evolving urban fabric.

An interactive ceiling system, referencing the prototype’s kinetic components, responds to audience engagement, creating a dynamic relationship between participants and space. The debate extends digitally through QR-based participation, projections, and potential VR/AR enhancements. By combining accessible materials, modular assembly, and participatory construction, the project rethinks public discourse spaces in an inclusive, decentralized, and community-driven manner, aligning with the anarchic, informal spirit of Sankt Marx.