07.01.2025

Social laboratory

Building design

Ralph Boch is Chairman of the Hans Sauer Foundation

The Hans Sauer Foundation is involved in social design and construction projects. We spoke to CEO Ralph Boch about current projects and the foundation’s plans for the future.

The Hans Sauer Foundation is involved in social design and construction projects. We spoke to CEO Ralph Boch about current projects and the foundation’s plans for the future.

In recent years, interest in critical social issues has increased considerably in the architectural discourse. One consequence of this is the growing involvement of foundations in the field of socially oriented design and architecture. The Hans Sauer Foundation is one such charitable institution. Based in Munich, it acts as a sponsor of projects in science and research as well as an operational partner in social design and construction projects. Its founder and namesake is the inventor and entrepreneur Hans Sauer, who revolutionized relay technology in the young Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War and is responsible for over 300 electrotechnical and electronic patents. In 1989, he sold his company, SDS Relais AG, and founded the “Hans Sauer Foundation for Evolution-oriented Recognition and Action”.

The foundation is managed by Ralph Boch and a board of trustees, which also includes Ursula Sauer, the founder’s daughter. In the spirit of Hans Sauer and the statutes he formulated, the foundation focuses on creativity and innovation – while at the same time treating nature responsibly. The foundation sees socially and ethically motivated innovation as social and ecological added value and has an interest in how creativity unfolds in a networked society. The foundation promotes such approaches with the Hans Sauer Prize, which is awarded every two years and alternately honors research achievements, inventiveness and socio-political best practice solutions, both in German-speaking countries and internationally.

The foundation has recently become increasingly operational and its employees are directly involved in design and planning activities, which sometimes result in buildings, but in particular the social environment in which they are built. The question is how intercultural cooperation can effectively contribute to innovation processes. As part of such processes, it is important to develop skills that support ecologically and socially responsible thinking and action. The foundation has made a name for itself in the architectural discipline, in particular through the realization projects for the creation of integrative forms of housing under the title “Home not Shelter!” in 2015. Building is understood here as the result of a design that serves not least to support coexistence between people even before construction. We spoke to the foundation’s director Ralph Boch about the socially oriented understanding of architecture, the current projects and the future plans of the Hans Sauer Foundation:

“We wanted to use the processual nature of design as a moment of inclusion.”

Baumeister: How did you come to join the foundation?

Ralph Boch: I came to the foundation via the Board of Trustees. At the time, it was still characterized by German industrial legends such as Arthur Fischer and Ludwig Bölkow. I then grew into the foundation through this activity. In 2006, I moved into the operational business, and at the end of 2011, we left Deisenhofen, where we were founded and where we were active, moved to Munich and then made a new start in terms of our program. During this “relaunch”, the topic of “design” became more and more central. We believe that a creative approach, also in the sense of architecture, is capable of initiating social change processes. And we try to moderate and initiate such processes in which design leads to change.

B: How did you experience the refugee crisis in 2015?

RB: As a foundation, we can commission ourselves if we believe that there is a social challenge out there that needs to be addressed. And so in 2015, as in large parts of our society, the refugee issue also came to our attention. Back then, we started out in a circle that was strongly influenced by designers. This included architects, and we focused on the topic of housing and accommodation in the “Home not Shelter!” initiative. We wanted to use the processual nature of design as an element of inclusion.

“Working the way we do requires a certain mindset from those involved.”

B: Do certain locations lend themselves to these projects? Is a city more suitable?

RB: Back then, part of our program was that we wanted to go into the city, we believe in the city as an integration machine. At the end of the day, it’s opportunities that guide us. In one project in Vienna, it was Caritas that said it had to run refugee accommodation and wanted to be better than a conventional type of shared accommodation. Combining this with a student residence was an issue. A real estate entrepreneur bought a building in the 10th district and could imagine an interim use. And then we had the students on the academic side. Finally, a number of donors were brought on board. Creating such constellations is typical project business for the foundation.

B: In your work, you can also contribute to the harmonization of conflicts. The idea of sustainable urban planning is to harmonize potential or existing conflicts through inclusion. For example, when a stakeholder achieves a consensus. How do you contribute to this when an architect takes the initiative and has a partner like the foundation?

RB: Working the way we do requires a certain mindset from those involved. We believe that we are getting better and better at setting up the processes in such a way that they develop a corresponding force. And because you just mentioned urban planning: We will be looking at urban development up to 2040 for the city of Munich as part of the perspective process. What is normally an internal administrative process will be accompanied by a new planning tool that we have developed ourselves. We call it the “Social Lab”. It will start at the beginning of October 2019 and will initially run for six months. To this end, we have selected and put together a kind of mini urban society according to a very precise grid. A focus group that will be accompanied by us in a moderated process over several months. The results are to be incorporated into the City of Munich’s established perspective process. Our ambition is to achieve a greater impact through good process design.

Recycling center as a place of communal life

B: Can you tell me something about specific, material projects? Perhaps one that involves architecture?

RB: One current project has to do with another funding priority, which we call “Circular Society” and which we have been working on for six months. This stems from a sustainability motivation, which incidentally was also very strong with the founder. It is about the question of how material and substance cycles can be closed in our society, especially if they have never been closed before. To this end, we announced an initial competition with a strong design focus. A subsequent, further competition, which will start at the beginning of November 2019, is explicitly aimed at the architectural discipline and is entitled “Designing Circularity in the Built Environment”.

B: Are there any projects that have already been implemented?

RB: We have another local project that is based here in the Munich area, in Markt Schwaben. The Workers’ Welfare Association approached us and asked if we were interested in this project. The plan was to operate a new type of recycling center, whereby the initial aim was to expand the existing recycling center in conjunction with a socially integrative approach, which the Workers’ Welfare Association has. Then we asked whether the local authority, like Arbeiterwohlfahrt, would be interested in thinking about a fundamentally new way of dealing with resources. The plan worked out and a new constellation was created. The project is now called “Mehrwerthof”. This example will be used to test whether it is possible to establish new, local ways of producing and using resources, from repairing electrical appliances to recycling components.

“Matching” material warehouses with local construction projects

B: We know that recycling depots have now become informal local centers where people meet and chat.

RB: That was also one of the starting points. There is hardly any other place where people meet so often and in such large numbers as at this recycling center in Markt Schwaben. That’s where the idea came from as to whether the recycling center could become a new place for community life. In itself, this recycling center is a primal place where things become waste as soon as you cross the threshold. At the same time, this is where this private waste comes together locally for the first time. To what extent can this become a place of repair? Can it be approached in a positive way? Is it possible to run repair cafés here? And now there are other issues: Can this be a place where production takes place, where something like street furniture or furniture for public buildings is produced for local needs? The Mehrwerthof will be the prototype for this.

B: How are you implementing this in concrete terms?

RB: One of the design tasks for TUM students associated with the project was to build street furniture using recycled materials. This in turn was the catalyst for generating local resonance and publicity for the topic. The next idea involves the reuse of components, and we are currently in talks with Munich University of Applied Sciences. It’s about taking an inventory of building parts and “matching” the material store with local construction projects.

“There is a willingness to get involved, there is enthusiasm.”

B: What is the response to these projects?

RB: I can’t speak for the majority of Markt Schwaben residents, but there is a willingness to get involved, there is enthusiasm. When you start promoting the Circular Society there, you get the feeling that it’s an issue for all generations. Interestingly, it is the older generation in particular who – from whatever biographical background – understand that we have to deal with resources differently. But we also have, and this is another point of the Mehrwerthof, a place of education here. School projects are also involved.

B: What would you like to do with the foundation that you haven’t done yet?

RB: I think the biggest challenge is to formalize the model that we have to such an extent that it is actually transferable, that it can be used by others, that a kind of “Social Design Paradigm according to the Hans Sauer Foundation” can be introduced into the world and spread. I believe that it can apply to all possible areas of social action. We are working in the field of education, in the field of inclusion, in the field of circularity and are actually using the same methods everywhere. If we succeed in formalizing, reflecting on and evaluating what we see as a catalyst for the foundation’s work and turning it into a transferable model, that would be great.

This interview appeared in abridged form in issue B12/2019 on the topic of shelter.

30.12.2024

Cultural heritage, Industry news

Photovoltaics now permitted in Ettenheim’s old town

Building design

Solar panels could soon be installed on some roofs in Ettenheim's old town. Photo: Still / Youtube City of Ettenheim

In Ettenheim, it should now be easier to generate solar energy on the roofs of the old town. The climate and energy crisis has heralded a rethink

In Ettenheim (Baden-Württemberg, administrative district of Freiburg), it should now be easier to generate solar energy on the roofs of the old town. The climate and energy crisis has prompted a rethink

Ettenheim in the administrative district of Freiburg is rightly proud of its historic old town. The “baroque town with charm”, located on the Baden Wine Route, has therefore understandably attached great importance to strict ensemble protection and the rejection of solar installations in the old town. In view of the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine on the one hand and new possibilities for the color design of photovoltaic modules on the other, a rethink is now underway. The old town statutes of Ettenheim are therefore to be amended following a decision by the building, environment and technology committee. In future, it should be easier for residents of the listed old town to install photovoltaic and solar thermal systems on their roofs.

Solar roof tiles in the color of the roof tiles

“We have a beautiful old town, Mayor Bruno Metz emphasized at first. “That brings with it restrictions when it comes to using renewable energies. I never liked that.” Now the administration has tried to exhaust all possibilities in consultation with the heritage office to enable the construction of photovoltaic systems. He is confident that a good solution will be found with the amended statutes. “The municipal council and we as the administration want the residents of the old town to be able to use as much renewable energy as possible on their property, especially by harnessing the power of the sun, via photovoltaic systems or thermal systems, despite the special requirements of monument protection in the protected ensemble,” says Mayor Bruno Metz, explaining the motives.

Visibility of installations

Head of the building authority Markus Schoor explained the planned changes to the statutes. The most important point is the so-called visibility of installations. Until now, if photovoltaic systems could be seen from certain points in the old town and from vantage points, they could not be installed. This point of distant views has been removed. In future, installations will only be considered visible if they can be seen from certain streets and points in the old town at a glance. And even then, it is not completely forbidden to erect them – solar roof tiles in the same color as the roof tiles must be used. A limit on the size of the systems was also removed from the statutes. Schoor explains: “It would be a fallacy to say that everything should be allowed. If the bylaws do not meet the requirements of the heritage office, the installations would not be approved. That’s why we are so transparent and allow in the bylaws what the heritage office would go along with”. The statutes are intended to provide planning security. One topic was the cost of brick-colored PV modules. According to Schoor, these are still up to three times more expensive than conventional ones. However, he is sure that manufacturers will react to the fact that old town statutes are being relaxed throughout Germany. Metz emphasized that solar tiles do not have to be used on most surfaces. He went on to emphasize: “We are now making significantly more possible than was previously the case.” The city was asked to increase the subsidy for additional monument preservation costs incurred by the installation of solar tiles from 50 to 100 percent.

The changes at a glance:

Photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems are permitted on roofs as well as roof-independent installations such as on facades, on balconies or in gardens under certain conditions, provided they are not visible. Exceptions to this are particularly characteristic cultural monuments in the old town
Heat pumps, ventilation systems, air conditioning units and similar installations are permitted in areas of the old town that cannot be seen
While windows must be made of wood, weather protection sashes made of aluminum are permitted
Solar roof tiles are permitted if they are matt and the rest of the roof surface is completely covered with tiles of the same color

In order to obtain a broad range of opinions, the administration consulted the local population in advance, asked for the opinions of residents of the old town, incorporated the expertise of the climate manager and monument conservationists and coordinated with the regional council. In order to enable residents of the old town to use renewable energy in the future, the municipal council unanimously amended the old town bylaws on November 24, 2022. The bylaws will now be published.

Watch the video for a view from above of the small town near the Black Forest:

23.10.2024

Competition overview January 2020 (1/2)

Building design

Interested in the latest competition results in landscape architecture, but hardly have time to look at them properly? In the G+L competition overview, Heike Vossen provides monthly updates on the most exciting competition results. Domplatz Goslar, nsp christoph schonhoff landschaftsarchitekten stadtplaner, Hanover From stone square to collegiate garden: the imperial palace in Goslar is no longer to be surrounded by outdated functional buildings and parking lots, […].

From a stone square to a monastery garden: in future, the Imperial Palace in Goslar will no longer be surrounded by outdated functional buildings and parking lots, but will have an environment that makes its historical identity legible. The winning design is committed to the location and creates an open space that enters into a dialog with the imperial palace and cathedral area, but at the same time allows a contemporary approach to history. A large lower meadow roundel forms the new center, bordered by seating steps that blend into the rising topography. Like a large magnifying glass, the meadow roundel provides insights into history through fragmentary tracings of the former ground plans of the collegiate church and cloister. To protect the fragile remains of the foundations, a layer of gravel and poured concrete built on top marks the historical traces and gives the site the necessary robustness to allow it to be used for events.

The Ohne as an identity- and design-forming guiding element: the winning design for the Thuringian State Garden Show 2024 embeds the new Gartenstadt residential quarter in a coherent, varied green corridor including the renaturalized Ohne floodplain. The authors are building on the Green Axis coming from the southern part of the city and are leading it through the green corridor as a finely tuned path concept – partly as a striking promenade, partly as curved paths following the course of the stream. The new city edge promenade links the landscape park with existing footpaths and cycle paths and completes the network of paths to form a continuous circular route. The active zone is characterized by a robust range of play and sports facilities and presents itself as a park-like landscape with open meadow areas. The Ohne floodplain, on the other hand, is being developed as a high-quality, small-scale natural space with a meandering watercourse and undulating alluvial forest. Green fingers interweave the new garden city with the adjoining landscape and, according to the jury, also justify the elimination of the allotments in this location.

From parade ground to climate-active city square: instead of sealed traffic and parking areas, Ludwigsburg’s central city squares are to be given space for pedestrians and traffic is to be reorganized – in future, only public transport is to cross the squares. The winning design transforms Schillerplatz into a city tree and urban square with individual plane trees and long benches that provide sufficient space for events and festivals. Arsenalplatz, where soldiers used to patrol, will become a “green salon” with a large tree canopy (Paulownia tomentosa), mobile seating elements, drinking fountains and play areas. Similar to the castle courtyards, the center will have a light-colored gravel surface that can seep away, which the jury considers to be an interesting and necessary contribution to urban climate adaptation together with the new green volume. The design strengthens the connections for pedestrians and also links to the adjacent green spaces of the Arsenal and Zeughaus gardens, which are strengthened as a green oasis.