Upcoming Trade Shows Bremen, Germany for Architecture

Although not necessarily associated with the modern architecture industry, Bremen is nonetheless making strides in adaptive reuse, urban planning, conservation and sustainable architecture. No other project quite captures all of these trends than the revitalization of the Wümmehof Houses by Felix Brinkhege. The historic country house and gardens Wümmehof has been transformed into a communal living project of seven about equally large units. The project is a unique example of how to revitalize historic buildings while respecting their original character and the surrounding environment. The main house at Wümmehof was designed by the early Fritz Schumacher and landscaped by Friedrich Gildemeister, both prominent architectural figures of 1930s Germany. The building and parts of its grounds are Grade A listed by the city, so architects had to approach the task with care to preserve its historic value. Another challenge arose by the location – a flooding zone. The architects overcame these challenges by designing each of the seven houses after a structure formerly existing on the property, such as horse stables, hay stables, a gatehouse and a garage for farm vehicles. Each house is placed on small dwelling mounts, which are connected to a dyke. All of the units were constructed with prefabricated concrete walls and ceilings. The concrete walls were left exposed, giving the houses a modern industrial aesthetic. Using prefabricated pieces did a lot to reduce waste generation and streamlined the construction process. The wooden facades of the stable houses were carbonized, which makes the wood water and insect-resistant – an old technique that follows the principles of sustainable architecture. The shed house was built in peat-fired handmade clinker bricks at different temperatures produced in a brickyard nearby. Turning towards local materials and manufacturers ensures that the finished project is in harmony with its surroundings, while also stimulating the local economy.