From Halls to Hubs

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Today, teaching and learning have evolved significantly compared to 20, 50 or 100 years ago. In the past, lecture halls were central spaces for knowledge exchange, where teachers imparted their wisdom to large groups of students. Access to specialist books and new knowledge dissemination were limited. However, with the advent of technology and the internet, the landscape has changed dramatically. Students now have access to a vast array of knowledge through printed books, well-stocked libraries, and the internet, access to which they carry in their pockets via cell phones and laptops. Lecturers can reach a broader audience through online lectures, offering the convenience of streaming video. This digital shift has become especially important during the recent pandemic. Although digital platforms have allowed university life to continue, there is a gradual return to physical campuses. Consequently, many lecture halls, such as N1190 and N1070, thousands of cubic meters of converted and heated space, are underutilized and in need of transformation to meet the demands of modern education.
For N1190 - Hans-Heinrich-Meinke-Hörsaal, the focus is on creating a face-to-face interaction that dehierarchizes the space. We change the arrangement of the original room from stage for one opposed with the hall for many to common space – podium - for discussion for all, supported by new solid wooden box elements creating face-to-face seating. The upper parts we create semi-separated space for individual work or watching the discussion.
In N1070 - Lothar-Rohde-Hörsaal, we were looking for how little intervention is enough to change the function of the space. Wooden platforms disrupt the original hierarchy and create areas for group work while maintaining the hall's lecture function. The addition of curtains allows for different room arrangements, and a lightweight structure underneath the ceiling supports them. A new multifunctional furniture design complements the room's versatility.