workshop in bolzano

in relation - hybrid stories l free university of bozen l 24.04.2025

in relation – hybrid stories is a workshop on design as relation.

between people and things.

between space and meaning.

between memory, data, and speculative futures.

participants bring personal objects — fragments of lived experience — which are scanned, interpreted by AI, and reimagined in VR. not as replicas, but as hybrid data-bodies: unstable, shifting between material and conceptual space. in pairs, students create immersive narratives that mix real artifacts, synthetic images, and 3d scenes. the workshop explores hybrid aesthetics at the intersection of physical traces, digital processes, and artificial intelligence — questioning authorship in a creative space shared by humans, machines, and mediated realities. in relation doesn’t ask for the next idea - it asks for the next hybrid story.

pic by ricardo cossu

space+ lab @WIA Festival 25

AI + gender in architecture + design

interdisciplinary workshop as part of the WIA Festival l 25 23.-25.06.25

this seminar examines the intersection of ai, gender, and architecture through critical reflection, algorithmic prompting, and experimental design. students explore how ai technologies reinforce gendered spatial structures — and how they might be reprogrammed to enable more inclusive futures.

the results will be presented in a public exhibition and an interactive manifesto session as part of the nationwide WIA Festival 25 (Women In Architecture). a public panel discussion, featuring voices from research, practice, and education, expands the discourse on equity, technology, and space.

guest lecturers: prof. yasemin utku (th köln), karin hartmann (architektinnen initiative nw), ola handford (mindmakers, shanghai), dr. corinna bath (network for women’s and gender studies in stem), prof. mustapha el moussaoui (free university of bozen), and prof. greta hoffmann (cologne game lab).

pic by lisa ikonomu

hybrid space in venice

orto futuro: a portal for space, nature and collective intelligence

ma 2 project

in response to the biennale theme intelligens. natural. artificial. collective., this module invites students to design orto futuro—a hybrid intervention on sant erasmo, venice’s agricultural island. the project is developed for the artist bettina gruber and will be situated on her property on the island.

combining AI, XR, and analog methods, students create a sculptural space that bridges nature, architecture, and digital realms. orto futuro serves as a portal for exchange between physical and virtual worlds, collective and artificial intelligence.

the orto futuro explores how architecture can become a gateway between realities.

pic by nadine zinser-junghanns

form follows space+

one space, one material, one place to sit

ba 2 project

an experiment in hybrid space: how does the design process evolve when analog and digital tools merge? what new hybrid aesthetics emerge when space and objects are generated using ai tools? how does the choice of materiality influence form, function, and atmosphere?

this task is an experimental design process in hybrid space, where physical, digital, and immersive design methods intersect. AI, VR, AR and traditional tools such as models and sketches interact, offering a new perspective on material, form, and space.

the design process is non-linear, engaging in a dynamic interplay between real, hybrid, and virtual worlds.

pic by nadine zinser-junghanns

new space+ team

welcome to

francis cüppers

metin adiyaman

alessio murrone

in the space+ team!

good by to

birk stenkamo

fenja eesmann*

touch the light!

ma x short project

in this short project, students explored the origins and perception of light by developing spatial concepts where light could be touched and shaped. inspired by the idea of a mystical place where light itself was once tangible, they were challenged to create immersive environments that made light a physical and sensory experience.

as a first step, students generated a text-to-image visualization using AI, translating abstract ideas about light, space, and atmosphere into a visual concept. based on these AI-generated images, they developed three-dimensional spatial designs that considered how natural or artificial light sources interact with different materials and colors to create a tangible light experience. the final step involved transferring these digital designs into VR allowing the spaces to be explored immersively and refined through direct spatial perception.

pic by lea traue

space+ show ll

opening of the new ´secret´ space+ lab...

our space+ show II was a great success! many students and colleagues attended, explored the exhibited works, and actively engaged with the interactive installations.

the visionary projects from the space+ lab—including the ‘touch the light’ (AI + VR) short design challenge, the sino-german a(i)rtwork series, and the AI-conic six projects—sparked exciting discussions about the intersection of AI, VR, and spatial design. the ´VR-spielwiese´ was particularly popular, with many visitors immersing themselves in the digital environments.

a big thank you to everyone who joined us, participated, and contributed to the inspiring atmosphere. we look forward to continuing the exploration of hybrid spaces and new design methodologies!

AI-conic six

ba x + ma x, interdisciplinary workshop with ola handford (mind makers)

this seminar in cooperation with ola handford from ´mind makers´ invites architecture and design students to explore the intersections of artificial intelligence (AI) and design, focusing on the concepts of the „iconic“ and „AI-ism.“ students will use AI tools like ChatGPT alongside traditional design methodologies to create AI-generated objects and spaces. the seminar follows four phases: research, concept development, design, and presentation.

research

hybrid aesthetics and fragmentary realities

talk on the research day faculty of architecture

at the faculty of architecture’s research day on november 29, 2024, nadine zinser-junghanns explored the impact of AI tools on architecture and design.

her talk, hybrid aesthetics and fragmentary realities, examined how the fusion of digital and physical realms gives rise to a new hybrid aesthetic. she posed a fundamental question: can AI truly challenge human creativity by generating meaningful design, or does deeper meaning remain a uniquely human domain? the discussion highlighted the tension between machine-generated creativity and human interpretation, encouraging a critical perspective on the role of AI in architectural design.

awarded!

teaching award TH Köln

we are very proud to have been awarded the 2024 study award of TH Köln on september 20, 2024:

"With the topic of Hybrid Spatial Research, Prof. Dr. Nadine Zinser-Junghanns and her team from the Faculty of Architecture won the Teaching Award in the "Validated Development" category. The concept connects several modules of the Master's program in Architecture over two semesters. Students experience a holistic learning process, from theoretical foundations to practical application, using the latest technologies to find sustainable solutions for space and objects.

A practical example from the summer semester of 2024 was the design of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Rhine, connecting Ubierring with Deutzer Hafen. The designs developed served not only as transport routes but also as hybrid spaces with diverse social and cultural uses."

Press Release, TH Köln

sino-train-trip

3 weeks through china by train

shanghai-hongkong - guilin-yangshou-

kunming-dali-lijiang-chengdu-chongquin-

yangtze-zhangjiajie-wuhan-shanghai!

artwork+

sino-german AI artwork series,

curated by nzj

莲花-洋葱-图案

lotus-zwiebel-muster

汉服-迪恩德尔裙-裙子

hanfu-dirndl-kleid

中-啤酒-壶

sino-bierkrug

绿色-绿色

grün-grün

bridging+

ma2 l  project in cooperation with the KISD

in line with the desired master‘s program ´spatial strategies´, this semester we aim to build bridges - to connect people, places, and ideas. the theme is intended both metaphorically and in practical application and is to be manifested in the design of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the river rhine. the bridge is to symbolize connection and innovation, serve as a performative platform for human, city, and culture, and become the new hybrid hub for the master‘s program.
• geographically: connecting both sides of the river rhine and neighborhoods
connecting the locations of aköln and kisd
• societally: connecting people, city, and culture
• socially: expanding and connecting public urban spaces in cologne
• thematically: connecting architecture, design, and cultural studies
connecting the ma ´spatial strategies´ with the city of cologne
• architecturally: integrating traffic and usable areas in bridge construction
blending real, virtual, and hybrid spaces

workshop with DesignWorks

coa ma2, interdisciplinary workshop with BMW DesignWorks
about creativity+, AI in architecture + design

08.05.24, 10:30

BMW DesignWorks Shanghai

Together with the automotive designers of BMW DesignWorks in Shanghai, our masterstudents will discuss the meaningful use of AI tools in the design process and showcase their workflows with AI in architecture, transportation, and product design. Additionally, we'll try to articulate our individual perspectives and philosophical approaches to the question of natural and artificial intelligence in creativity.

research

lecture @BMW DesignWorks
about creativity+, AI in architecture + design

27.03.24, 09:00

BMW DesignWorks Shanghai

look + feel

architecture + design in china

new apple store jin´an

eka-tianwu l wutopia lab and others l 2022

sinan book store l wutopia lab l 2019

shipyard 1861 shanghai l kengo kuma l 2018

1000 trees shanghai l heatherwick studio l 2021

city of books l wutopia lab l 2023

research

AI in architecture + design

design

ma l ´prompt your hero´

architecture + design

ma l ´a(i)_versum´

architecture + design

´space+ show´ @passagen 24

save the date! at the space+ show, we will show the philosophy + activity of the space+ lab, as well as various projects developed over the last two years. featured will be the results of '(im)mprobable furniture', 'foyer filler', and 'soulspace+'. the exhibition will take place in real, virtual, and hybrid spaces, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in different results through VR and AR, and even become creative in virtual space!

we look forward to seeing you!

space+ show from 15.-18.01.24, 15:00-19:00

vernissage at 16.01.24 from 17:00

space+ lab, AKöln, TH Köln, Deutz

research

ma l lecture architectural science:
´from HAL to Her, AI and the 4. insult of humanity´

in movies, various aspects of AI can be addressed, ranging from ethical dilemmas to futuristic societal images. They contribute to sparking discussions about the role of AI in society and its potential impacts on human existence.

 
10.01.24 l 09:00

space+ lab + zoom

design

ba l ´(im)probable furniture´

pic.: theo zenker

architecture

ma l ´foyer filler´

pic:foyer filler, jil frömberg

design

nzj l ´ai generated pics´

 
 an experiment with ai generated images curated by nzj.

architecture

ma l ´soulspace+´

masterstudierende gestalten im stegreif einen virtuellen raum, der bei den nutzern ein bestimmtes Gefühl wie geborgenheit, gefahr, ruhe, vertrautheit etc. hervorruft. wodurch wird dieses gefühl / dieser zustand ausgelöst? welche sinne spielen dabei eine rolle ? welche räumlichen parameter können dieses gefühl auslösen? dabei sind die studierenden nicht an physikalische regeln gebunden, da der raum als rein virtueller ort der empfindung gedacht werden kann. 

pic: soulspace+ l verbundenheit l kim nguyen

architecture

ma l ´my spacial dream´

masterstudierende entwickeln im seminar ´konzept+design´ begleitend zu der hybriden ausstellung im MAKK ihre virtuellen  ´spacial dreams´. was macht einen virtuellen raum aus, wie fühlt er sich an, wo liegen seine grenzen, wie unterscheidet er sich zum realen raum. mit diesen fragestellungen entstehen woche um woche neue virtuelle räume, die dreidimensional über vr gemeinsam in der gruppe erlebt und beurteilt werden können.

exhibition

ma l ´geheimnisse eines kunstsalons´
eine hybride ausstellung in, um und über das MAKK

vernissage: 12.01.23 l 17:00

finissage:    19.01.23 l 16:30

architecture

ma l ´geheimnisse eines kunstsalons´
eine hybride ausstellung in, um und über das MAKK

 art + architecture

 ba + ma l ´sehnsuchtsachse´

design

gestaltung ba2 l ´mythic light´

studierende im ba2 gestalten parallel zur entwurfsaufgabe am ebertplatz in köln eine lichtskulptur, welche abstrakt eine der griechischen mythologien verkörpert. das konzept des ´mythic light´ ist atmosphärisch getrieben - welche stimmung bewirkt das objekt im raum, welche gefühle werden bei tag und nacht hervorgerufen? die lichtskulptur erzählt durch ihr lichtkonzept, form, material, fügung und ihrem zusammenspiel mit dem entwurf eine aussagekräftige ´heldengeschichte´!

design

ma l ´stair&care´

there is a hidden place...
masterstudierende gestalten für die treppe zum soutelier eine ´caring addition´ - eine kleine intervention, welche die pflege des ortes erleichtert. das soutelier ist unser interaktiver space+ an der TH Köln
für reale, erweiterte and virtuelle experimente mit raum und objekt.
der ungenutzte raum wurde von studierenden im sose 21 und ws 21/22 zum mixed reality space umgestalted und dient als hybrides spielfeld!

 architecture

entwerfen ba2 l ´räume der mythen´
ebertplatz + theodor-heuss-park köln

ziel ist es, die philosophische auseinandersetzung mit dem architektonischen konzept ausgehend von der griechischen mythologie im rahmen dieses entwurfes zu erlernen. der fokus wird hierbei gezielt auf die atmosphärische interpretation des raumes gerichtet. (textauszug der entwurfsaufgabe von prof. nikolaus bienefeld).

space+

soutelier l ´mixed reality space´

 architecture

mensch+raum l ´dialogue space´

mensch + raum, erste übung der neuen studierenden:
finde einen ort an der th, verändere ihn mit einer installation im raum,
komme in dialog zu den anderen!

space+

the journey begins:
we open up our new space+ lab - our new augmented, real and virtual lab and are looking forward to see and work with you in space+!

research

we start to set our new research tool with the virtual library of
spatial experiences for existing and fictional, possible and impossible spaces and objects.