Evolving Heritage

Students: Liva Sadovska, Lara Schnabl, Özge Taspinar, Emma Schwarz

The Semper Depot, a historical monument largely underutilized today, holds the potential for vibrant transformation. Blending architectural heritage with innovative digital technology, the space is reimagined as a transmedia venue for dynamic debates

A New Approach to Social Discourse

At the heart of the concept is a digital skin that not only preserves but also reactivates the site’s heritage. Drawing inspiration from Gottfried Semper, we view the design’s skin as a functional element.

The architectural concept transforms the atrium into a multi functional debate space without altering its footprint. A vertically extended, visually striking central structure anchors the space, incorporating smaller debate chambers on multiple levels. These chambers are seamlessly connected to the surrounding walkways, enabling interaction across different heights.

At the beginning of each event, attendees receive headphones, allowing them to tune into any ongoing debate within the chambers. These spaces are acoustically optimized and can be enclosed with a zipper when needed. Meanwhile, the main debate on the ground floor remains open, allowing participants to engage freely without headphones.

The atrium functions as the hearth in the semperian sense – a central space for discourse and exchange. As the grand symposium unfolds on the ground level, the atrium becomes a dynamic platform for multi-layered discussions.

A digital layer enhances the space, projecting debates and integrating virtual participants. Each chamber is equipped with microphones and cameras, enabling real-time interaction and ensuring the atrium remains an inclusive hub for dialogue, making heritage a living, evolving entity.