EVENT- City workshop on construction change: Conversion instead of demolition

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© Baustelle Gemeinwohl

Three locations, one challenge: how can the construction revolution succeed at the local level?

Several large-scale construction projects in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district are currently raising key questions:  

• How can we continue to use existing buildings? 
• What factors make renovation and conversion possible? 
• And how can we design development processes in such a way that they serve the common good? 

Date: Tuesday, October 21st. 
Time: 17:30-21:30 
Place: StadtWERKSTATT-FK auf dem Dragonerareal/Rathausblock - Obentrautstr. 19-21, 10963 Berlin-Kreuzberg

In the urban workshop ‘Conversion instead of demolition’, we focus on three current location projects in the district: Hafenplatz, SEZ, and Baerwaldbad. The aim is to take the processes a concrete step further in each case: towards socially acceptable development, ecologically responsible renovation of existing buildings, and cooperative planning. 

Objectives of the event: 

• Understanding the status of the processes at all three project locations; 
• Mobilising stakeholders for cooperation; 
• Establishing networks between stakeholders with overlapping agendas and common fields of activity; 
• Enabling cooperation between civil society, administration, and politics; 

People from the vicinity of the projects, from civil society, administration, planning, politics, research, and project development are invited – anyone who would like to provide impetus for a new building culture is welcome. 

In three moderated working groups on the respective projects, we will jointly develop approaches for action, discuss current obstacles, and join forces for the next steps. The Stadtwerkstatt creates space for exchange, networking, and cooperation – directly at the specific project locations. 

You may find more information and register here: https://www.baustelle-gemeinwohl.de/veranstaltung/stadtwerkstatt-umbau-statt-abriss/ 

You may find the PDF with further information (in German) here: https://www.baustelle-gemeinwohl.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251015-stadtwerkstatt-umbaustattabriss-programmentwurf-01.pdf

Update 6 of the schedule is available

Dear all,

please pay attention to our newest update of the schedule.

It relates to the Monday lecture in CADlogic of Elaine Bonavia.

Best regards

Heike

“The Pleasure of Architecture” a ‘Dessauer Gespräch’ with Sophia Tang und Hans-Christian Buhl

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© Dessauer Gespräche

“sophie & hans is a Berlin-based design and architecture studio dedicated to creating meaningful objects, spaces, and atmospheres across all scales and functions.

Our work ranges from benches in the Canadian forest, a social work pavilion embedded in the urban fabric, to a community building in the Bavarian Alps that reimagines communal living for an aging society.

We believe architecture shapes the way people connect, interact, and experience the world. We work closely with communities, clients, and collaborators to create impactful public spaces that foster connection and enrich everyday life. 

We approach each project with an open mind, allowing the unique context and needs to guide the design rather than adhering to a fixed style. 

Inspired by craft, material, and machines, we aim to produce refreshing works that embody new tools with old techniques while aspiring to create spaces that make the physical world around us better for everyone.

Founded in 2019 by Sophia Tang and Hans-Christian Buhl, the studio is driven by a shared motivation and commitment to design soulful and impactful places, especially for public life.”

www.sophieandhans.eu 

The lecture will be held in German and translated into English.  
It starts at 6.30 p.m. in the lecture hall of building 08, Dessau. 

Date: October 22nd, 2025. 
Time: 6.30 p.m. 
Place: Lecture Hall of Building 08. 

Further events in Winter Semester 2025:

October 29th: Dessauer Gespräche regional + opening of the exhibition 'Holzwege' with the Chamber of Architects. 

November 5th: Matthias Hoffmann, DEMO WORKING GROUP, Cologne. 

November 12th: Marika Schmidt, mrschmidt architekten Berlin. 

November 19th: Elisabeth Terrisse de Botton und Matthieu Brasebin, Brussels. 

November 26th: Kim Le Roux, Margit Sichrovsky and Wiebke Ahues, LXSY Architektur Berlin. 

December 3rd: Markus Schmidt, inaugural lecture professorship for Building Material Technology and Sustainable Building Materials. 

December 10th: Stefan Rettich. KARO* architekten Leipzig Hamburg. 

December 17th: Catharina Förster, inaugural lecture professorship for Interior planning and design. 

January 14th: Marta Toscano, Studio Malta Stuttgart Berlin.

January 21st: Ulrike Dix, AFF Architekten Berlin.

TODAY: “How do I become an architect and can I call myself one?”

In today's lecture, Prof. Ralf Niebergall will explain why in Germany (and many other countries), “architect” is a protected professional title that is subject to certain requirements and bureaucratic procedures, and how to navigate them.

He will shed some light on the process, point out differences, and explain what you need to pay attention to so that, despite your studies, you don't one day find yourself being told: “Sorry, but you're not an architect!”. 

Until autumn, Prof. Ralf Niebergall was Vice-President of the Federal Chamber of Architects for Europe and International Affairs and Head of the German delegation to the Architects Council of Europe. He is an expert on the subject in Germany, the European states, and, to some extent, beyond. 

You are all welcome to join! The conference will be in English.

DATE: TODAY, October 15th, 2025. 
TIME: 18:30 (6:30 pm) 
PLACE: Auditorium of Building 8 (AudiMax).

Lecture: "How do I become an architect and can I call myself one?" with Prof. Ralf Niebergall

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© DIA

How do I become an architect, and can I call myself one?

In Germany and many other countries, „architect“ is a protected professional title that is subject to certain requirements. 
Qualification as an architect often also requires membership in a professional chamber or association. The requirements and bureaucratic procedures are a thicket that is often difficult to navigate. 

Until autumn, Prof. Ralf Niebergall was Vice-President of the Federal Chamber of Architects for Europe and International Affairs and Head of the German delegation to the Architects Council of Europe. He is an expert on the subject in Germany, the European states, and, to some extent, beyond. 

In this lecture, he will shed some light on the process, point out differences, and explain what you need to pay attention to so that, despite your studies, you don't one day find yourself being told: „Sorry, but you're not an architect!“

You are all welcome to join!  The conference will be in English.
DATE: Wednesday, October 15th, 2025.
TIME: 18:30 (6:30 pm.)
PLACE: Auditorium of Building 8 (AudiMax).

Update 4 for your schedule is available

Dear All, we had some changes in rooms for the Friday classes. 

Please check the new schedule, evailable now.

Best regards

Heike

CADLogic Lists (version 2) are online

The final version of the CADLogic lists is already online. You may find it in the “Files&Links” Section.

We're working on the Elective lists and will publish them tomorrow.

Update of the schedule available

for information please always take the last updated version.

Best regards

Heike

CADLogic Lists (version 1) are online

The first version of the CADLogic lists is already online. You may find it in the „Files&Links“ Section.

Please remember that Prof. Schlecht's class begins today at 16:30 in room 106 of Building 15.

We'll publish the final CAD lists soon.

We're also working on the Elective lists and will publish them as soon as possible.

Book Presentation - "Die Mitte in Dessau"

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© Mitte

For the closure of the ZiZ Project, the young city makers at Hochschule Anhalt are launching a book compiling the results and field notes of their 2-year long research.

You are all invited to join the event.

Date: Thursday, October 10th, 2025
Place: Mitte (Ferdinand-Von-Schill Str. 3, Dessau)
Time: 6:00 pm.

Links to Electives and CAD

Here are the links to Electives and CADLogic. Please take into account that they will open at 8:05 am

ELECTIVES: https://forms.gle/Ey6xWMSgoxUNHzJB9

CADLogic: https://forms.gle/vCjZSx6izPZN3m2S6

Visit the Workspaces

To make an informed decision about your Elective and CADLogic classes, make sure that you pay a visit to the Workspaces that your teachers have created, and, once the lists have been published, also join them.

Here are some of the CAD and Elective Workspaces:

• Plantation mutations: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/305
• Emancipatory living practices & feminist neighbourhoods: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/268
• Cosmically eccentric: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/264
• Architecture, Heritage & Power: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/272
• The Folly and the image of Arcadia: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/277
• „Hello“ - The Second Life of Public Infrastructures: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/285
• 2008 TEMPELHOFER FELD- initiation to landscape design for urban and architecture students: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/309 
• BUILDINGS, LANDSCAPES, GARDENS: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/282
• From Rhino Basics to Grasshopper Scripting: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/297
• Architectural Hallucinations: Do GPTs Hallucinate Neural Wool?: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/287
• I Now Pronounce You DIN & BIM: https://dia.incom.org/workspace/289
• SPATIAL DRAWING (Group I): https://dia.incom.org/workspace/294
• SPATIAL DRAWING (Group II): https://dia.incom.org/workspace/295

Selection Process will take place on Wednesday at 8:00 am

Dear all,

We're sorry to inform that, due to technical difficulties, we are forced to move the selection process for Electives and CADLogic to tomorrow at 8:00 am.

We're very sorry for the inconvenience, and we thank you for your patience.

Best,

Your DIA Team

1st-Year Studio Lists - Now available!

The lists for the 3rd semester Studios are now available on Incom.

You can find them here: https://dia.incom.org/action/open-file/6202

Links to Electives and CAD will be published at 8:00 pm

Dear all,

We're finishing the Studio lists, and they will be published soon.

In order for you to check the lists and have time to check which electives and CAD you may take, and also for us to finish the preparation of the elective and CAD selection (and to guarantee a smooth process), we'll be publishing the links at 8:00 pm.

Thank you for your patience,
Your DIA Team 

New CADLogic Video

On our Vimeo channel, you may find a new CADLogic video: https://vimeo.com/1125159517 

Remember to check out the compendium, the schedule and the videos to make an informed decision about your courses.

The links are there!

Here are the links for the Studio Selection (You may also find them in the „Files&Links“ section.

1st-Year Studios: https://forms.gle/n39YsKFcYR1eQhGE9 

2nd-Year Studios: https://forms.gle/ELgiNb6ftByiAWhr9 

Please remember to follow the instructions to avoid any unnecessary complications.

The process will be open until tomorrow at 8:00 am, and the lists will be published tomorrow, October 7th, at around 4:30 pm.

Version 2 of Compendium, now available!

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© DIA

In the “Files&Links” section, you may find an updated version of the compendium.

This version includes 1st-Year Studios, Electives, CADLogic and Compulsory Modules.

We'll be publishing Version 3 soon. Make sure to check the folder for updates.

Links to Videos - WiSe 2025-26

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© DIA

In the „Files&Links“ section, you may find the links to the videos we've uploaded to our Vimeo account, with the description of some courses. 

These videos include some 1st and 2nd-Year Studios, Electives, CADLogic and Compulsory Modules. 

Make sure to check them, as they're a great tool to get an overview of the courses we're offering this semester. We might upload new videos in the next few days, so remember to visit our Vimeo account to check for updates. 

About the Compendium, it will be published tomorrow (Friday). We'll let you know once it's available in the system.

Photos of our Graduation Ceremony

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© Óscar Marco Sánchez

Last 11th of July, we celebrated our annual DIA graduation ceremony and the traditional Campus Fest. 

Students from 7 Master Studios graduated at the Bauhaus Aula, where we also enjoyed a music concert, and presented the DIA Awards 2025. 

Our guest speaker was Timo Panzer, architect and founder of his own Berlin-based studio (timopanzer.com), member of grru collective and co-founder of the Initiative anders Urania. We had special speeches by Prof. Vesta Nele Zareh, Director of DIA, and Prof. Stephan Pinkau, Dean of the Architecture Faculty. 

To see more images of this event, you can click here.  

Thanks to our photographer, Óscar Marco Sánchez.

Congratulations to all our graduates!