- Student:in
- Jan Kupka, Timon Jörns
- Studio
- Prof. Andreas Quednau
- Jahr
- 2026
- Kategorie
- Städtebau
- Studium
- Master
Projektbeschreibung
In this project, we primarily explored the question of what an architectural and urban strategy for a shrinking city could look like.
The starting point of our work was the search for a key urban component that could contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive circular economy. With this approach, we aimed not only to propose new forms of economic activity within a post-industrial metropolis, but also to respond to the specific social challenges of the project area - the Aurora district in Turin.
Aurora has historically been shaped by craftsmanship and the automotive industry. To this day, the district is predominantly inhabited by migrant communities as well as socially and economically disadvantaged groups. At the same time, the neighborhood occupies an attractive location close to Turin’s city center. This has increasingly led to processes of urban upgrading: evictions are rising, new high-priced housing developments are emerging, and cafés along with other commercial projects are moving into the area. Many of these developments fail to address the needs and realities of the existing residents, intensifying social tensions and displacement.
Against this background, we understand our proposal as both a spatial and programmatic response to these dynamics. At the center of the project is the idea of a building component exchange - a system that collects, stores, refurbishes, and redistributes building materials throughout the city of Turin. This infrastructure establishes a local material cycle that conserves resources, reduces construction waste, and creates new economic opportunities.
Beyond its logistical and economic function, the building component exchange is also conceived as a social space. Workshops, repair and refurbishment facilities, and publicly accessible areas create opportunities for exchange, education, and participation. Craftsmanship and local skills become visible and strengthened, creating new forms of identification and engagement within the neighborhood.
With this proposal, we aim to formulate our position: inclusive urban transformation requires concrete, spatially embedded structures that combine ecological responsibility with social perspectives. Sustainable, resilient, and identity-forming urban elements can help activate existing resources, involve local communities, and support long-term forms of collective living and economic activity.