KITCHEN HUB Linz
The Kitchen Hub in Linz is a unique meeting place for people of different nationalities, a place where people meet, learn, cook and eat together. Über den Tellerrand can be loosely translated as 'cooking outside the box'. In their own words, this explains what they do: "cooking and bringing people together from all over the world, breaking down barriers and helping strangers become friends".
Under the guidance of visiting professor Nina Pawlicki, the BASEhabitat postgraduate students completely transformed a former sports club into a welcoming, multifunctional space - the KitchenHub Linz, a new home for the NGO Über den Tellerrand.
A bar is the new heart of the space. It has been transformed from a narrow and enclosed element into an open and accessible bar that interacts with the seating area and the new tea and coffee corner. Along the large windows, a series of shelves and flexible box elements have been created that can be used as chairs or tables, for chatting or reading. A new flexible platform transforms easily from a stage to a cosy Arabic-style seating area and a constellation of board game tables. The wardrobe is hidden in the side wall of this alcove.
The students built the new furniture for the space using the existing elements as a source of material, applying circular design principles.
Images and Plans
Technical Description
The Designbuilt project was part of the 'Collective Design - Design for Change' module taught by Nina Pawlicki in close collaboration with the local branch of the NGO Über den Tellerrand as part of the BASEhabitat postgraduate programme at the University of Arts Linz.
The students learned how to set up an ideation process with the NGO to start a collaboration with the aim of developing the design and implementation of the KitchenHub Linz. This included gathering information and reflecting on parameters such as location, program, people and observing the existing NGO structure. As a case study for the application of the newly acquired knowledge, the postgraduate students developed a master plan for the former sports club in Linz's Frankenviertel, which the NGO rents from the city.
The design task consisted mainly in transforming and modifying the existing space, as it lacked atmospheric and use-oriented qualities. Key elements of the master plan were then realized by the students in a highly self-determined process together with the NGO and the wood workshop at the university. In addition to the design tasks, the students also took on key project management tasks during the project. They went through all the stages of a construction project in just four weeks.
The main focus of the masterplan for the KitchenHub transformation is to create a multi-functional and welcoming space. The students were divided into three groups and each group was responsible for three different spaces: the entrance, the bar and the semi-circular area. The reuse of the existing furniture as a source of material, applying circular construction principles, developed as the main principle for the three groups to connect their elements.
One group of students focused on transforming the niche at the entrance into a functional wardrobe, bookshelf and platform. They used the existing wooden benches and furniture as a source of material. By turning the dividing wall, which had previously formed a sort of backstage seating area, 90 degrees, they created a new spatial division for hanging jackets and storing bags. On the other side, the benches serve as a substructure for the platform, which can be easily transformed from a stage to a cozy Arabic-style seating area and a constellation of board game tables. The platform can be used for performances, concerts, reading groups, tea ceremonies, board games or similar activities. Additional storage space is provided under the platform.
The second group focused on redesigning the bar and tea & coffee serving area to create a more open and orderly structure for the space. The unused top of the bar was removed to connect the bar to the main area. A large wooden work surface was installed, which can now be used for buffets or cooking events. The massive shelving on the back walls has been replaced with much lighter shelving to display special pieces from the collection of international dishes and kitchen utensils. Underneath the bar, a restructuring of the existing furniture allowed for the creation of storage space for the equipment used by the NGO for its events. The outer shell of the bar was covered with a selection of slats made from original materials found on site. By moving the tea and coffee serving area from its original location near the kitchen entrance to the semi-circular area, the design aims to create a more structured flow of use in the space.
The third group designed a multi-purpose system of shelving and storage boxes, the dimensions of which were adapted to fit the window openings. The shelves can now be used to display the impressive collection of cookery books from different cultures, while the lower parts can be used to store a series of polygonal boxes that can be arranged in different constellations. Smaller shelves for plants or books, adapted to the width of the columns between the windows and made of salvaged materials, complete the design.