Transmedia Debate Center Vienna

Student: Sara Kaurin

Vienna’s Gebietsbetreuung, a network of municipal offices responsible for fostering community development, promoting neighborhood engagement, and supporting urban co-creation initiatives. These offices frequently organize interactive public debates and brainstorming sessions on issues such as district improvements and urban development projects. Currently, Gebietsbetreuung operates from six locations across Vienna, with some offices overseeing multiple districts. However, a centralized space for city-wide debates is notably absent.

The transmedia debate center concept addresses two key objectives: establishing a digital connection between the six Gebietsbetreuung offices and their representatives on-site and facilitating communication between these representatives and the citizens.

The interior design accommodates six representatives, each representing a Gebietsbetreuung office. Adjustable screens facilitate digital communication between representatives and their teams. When active, these screens are positioned at eye level; when not in use, they retract above the participants. To foster a connection between representatives and citizens, I designed a lifted roof structure that visually links the debate table with the surrounding environment. Citizens are welcome to join discussions on-site or connect digitally through a live homepage interface, enabling them to send emojis or comments directly to the table for consideration.