The design studio Christoph Hesse Architects addresses the notion of sustainable life, work and recreation in rural regions through diverse approaches. Its projects include new buildings as well as conversions - altogether they form a plea for self-sufficient, collaborative and identity-forming living spaces that actively involve the users in their design. Aedes is presenting a selection of planned and realised projects in the Sauerland and Waldecker Land region of North Hessen, based on atmospheric pictures and small- and large-scale models.
The architecture of Christoph Hesse and his team, illustrates how building in the countryside can be down-to-earth and creatively individualized, participatory, and energetically forward-looking - in collaboration with the local residents: grounded.
Waldeck-Frankenberg is a rural low mountain region situated in the centre of Germany. Christoph Hesse works there and in the neighbouring Sauerland on diverse architectural innovations. What characterizes his firm’s architectural approach is in-depth consideration of the cultural and historical context of the local sites. The designs thus react to the individual wishes and desires of clients and are closely connected with their surroundings.
Villa F in Titmaringhausen © Christoph Hesse
Christoph Hesse explains: “Architecture, people, and nature have become more disconnected from each other than ever in the past twenty-five years. More and more people have become passive consumers and are less in the position to actively contribute to designing their living environment. This particularly affects rural areas. Specifically in communities that have historically been shaped by agriculture and craftsmanship, the harshness of living conditions made it necessary to lead a life of solidarity, and in holistic interaction with nature.”
Strohtherme in Referinghausen © Christoph Hesse und Thomas Baron
“GROUNDED” presents nine projects from the Sauerland and the Waldeck-Frankenberg region, in which Christoph Hesse Architects dedicated themselves to connecting the built, natural, and social environment together with clients and users.
Three thematic areas show different typologies and present visions for the future that all pursue the same aim: decoupling becomes interconnectedness and interconnectedness becomes solidarity.
Local Networks of Self-sufficient Communities
- Villa F, Titmaringhausen, Sauerland
- Green Energy Facility, Referinghausen, Sauerland
- Strohtherme Pavilion, Referinghausen, Sauerland
Collaborative Urban Development from the Inside
- Vitos Kurhessen, Korbach, Waldeck-Frankenberg
- Community House Am Hauptbahnhof, Korbach, Waldeck-Frankenberg
- Raum der Stille, Korbach, Waldeck-Frankenberg
Connectivity Through Places of Identity
- Visitor Centre Edersee, Hemfurth-Edersee, Waldeck-Frankenberg
- Tower House, Bromskirchen, Waldeck-Frankenberg
- Seelenort, Referinghausen, Sauerland
Turmhaus in Bromskirchen © Christoph Hesse
Exhibition
A large, round wooden table, is the central element in the exhibition. Upon this, are placed concrete and plaster models of buildings and landscapes that show Christoph Hesse’s diverse design vocabulary, both in planned and realised projects. Large-format pictures provide views of urban and natural landscapes into which his architecture is carefully embedded.
Community House Am Hauptbahnhof in Korbach © Deimel + Wittmar
About
Christoph Hesse, 1977, grew up in the highland area of Sauerland in Germany. He received a Diploma in Architecture from ETH Zurich and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design with Distinction from Harvard University. He has been teaching at Harvard University, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture in Saigon, Cairo University and Universität Kassel.
Christoph Hesse Architects was established in 2008 in Korbach and currently employs an international team of 15 people. In 2018, a branch office was set up in Berlin. The practice has won numerous prizes, like the “European 40 Under 40 Architecture Award”, the “Architizer A+ Award”, the “International Architecture Award”, the “Deutsche Fassadenpreis” and was shortlisted for the “Bauwelt Award and DAM Award.
The projects of Christoph Hesse have been exhibited at Architektur Galerie Berlin, New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam, Contemporary Space Athens, Experimenta Urbana in Kassel, Venice Architecture Biennale and Deutsches Architekturmuseum in Frankfurt.
Made possible with the generous support of Kobe Design & Build GbR.
Catalogue
English/German
€ 10
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