Spontaneous dates at eye level

The vacant lot at Rudi-Hiers-Platz lay empty for two years. An unsightly square in the middle of Munich’s city center near Stiglmaierplatz that neither the residents nor the city itself were interested in.

The four architecture students Leila, Nick, Maria and Sophie from the Technical University of Munich were responsible for putting an end to this at the beginning of the summer. As part of their final project, they asked themselves the question: What moves modern Munich? The dedicated students conducted interviews with native Munich residents, newcomers and refugees. It quickly became clear what Munich lacks: meeting space. The Bavarian capital may be the most densely populated city in Germany, but there is not enough communication. Strangers remain strangers in a confined space. The goal of the budding architects resulting from this realization: To tackle anonymity and fight for communication and tolerance in their city.

The temporary project “Lückenfülle” was created: the three-month project filled the 150 square meter open space and at the same time closed the gap between people. A kind of self-running experience space that brings interests and conversations out from behind the thick walls. From the beginning of July, the area was covered in recycled bricks and furnished with self-made wooden furniture. Evening after evening, concerts, small exhibitions and discussion panels took place; a board at the entrance to the Lücke informed neighbors and passers-by about the colorful series of events. Everyone was welcome, whether young or old, resident or tourist – no one was excluded.

The voluntary initiative will soon be a thing of the past, as a housing project is now being realized on the site. But what will survive the three-month gap? The informal encounters and relaxed interaction will remain in the minds of all those involved and perhaps a new gap will soon be found; the search for new spaces has already begun. The discourse on unused open spaces has definitely begun.