with MOOOR sense through the city

TEAM PORTRAIT

VIDEO (by the team)

INTERVIEW
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1. How do you define the main issue of your project in relation with the theme “Living Cities Imagining architecture taking care of the milieus”? And in which way do you think your project can contribute to an ecological and/or social evolution?
Bad Lobenstein was once intricately interwoven with its tourism industry, but presently, the city appears somewhat lost. The tourism sector had historically been a robust generator of employment, providing a significant boost to the entire area. It retained the youth within the confines of the spa town, igniting entrepreneurial spirit and enabling the city to flourish. However, the city found itself ensnared within a downward spiral. However, it became entangled in a negative spiral. Tourism decreased, the city became less appealing, and young families departed. Vacancies proliferated, buildings fell into neglect, and a sense of decay settled in. With MOOOR sense through the city aims to break this negative cycle by addressing the city’s three weaknesses. Through ‘expansion’, we aim to enlarge the existing thermal baths (implementation: Moor bad) to better align with the social expectations of today's tourists (implementation: Moor care, a medical care center). This involves incorporating both architectural and landscaping elements to ensure the preservation of the crucial link between nature and culture, integral to Bad Lobenstein’s essence. Moreover, connectivity plays a pivotal role. In the current scenario, this aspect has somewhat faded. The old city center, the city park, and the thermal baths will be connected via a central walking axis. Additionally, a secondary axis will link the camping site (implementation: Moor resting), creating a loop. Along these pathways, various clusters of vacant spaces will be transformed into vibrant hubs. We believe this initiative will significantly boost tourism while fostering positive social development. Furthermore, ecological considerations are paramount. More green spaces will be integrated into the city center, and the walking trails will be surrounded by greenery. Thus, the camping site will be immersed in nature. Overnight guests will intimately coexist with nature, fostering a robust synergy between humans and the natural environment.

2. How did the issues of your design and the questions raised by the site mutation meet?
During the site visit, it quickly became evident that a significant amount of vibrancy had been lost. Not only were there few people on the streets, but there was also a lack of activities. The thermal baths, which constitute Bad Lobenstein's main attraction, were relatively small in size. They lacked prominence and operated independently of the city. Similarly, the camping area consisted merely of an expanse of greenery with three mobile homes, and the pavilion within the city park remained closed. Although the thermal baths themselves hosted visitors, this vibrancy was not palpable from the exterior. Furthermore, there was a notable absence of connectivity between the various districts of the city. The city center was particularly characterized by extensive vacancies. Conversations with residents provided deeper insights into the issues at hand. They highlighted that the absence of tourists led to the closure of numerous businesses. The departure of young individuals after completing their studies further contributed to the lack of liveliness within the city. Nevertheless, they expressed surprise and contentment that the city was willing to make changes and retained their belief in a forthcoming revitalization.

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