Ebertplatz0 exhibition 23-01-18 model photo
(Image: TH Cologne | Faculty 05)
Ebertplatz in the north of Cologne city center has been the subject of discussion for years: on the one hand, the debates are about maintenance backlogs and social problems – on the other hand, Ebertplatz has developed in recent years as a place for the creative scene with art spaces, numerous Events and established as a meeting point for the neighboring quarters. The interim use at Ebertplatz, which has been running since 2018, has made a significant contribution to this positive development. For the further development of the square, a two-stage competition with pre-qualification was decided in March 2021 by the City Council of Cologne, as well as the continuation of the temporary use in connection with the preparation of the long-term design.
“The project (temporary use) helps to make the square more attractive again, to create opportunities to help shape public space and to test usage ideas under real conditions for the parallel planning process.”(Press release: City of Cologne – The Lord Mayoress, Office for Press – and public relations, 03/29/2022)
A contribution is to be made to this with three temporary interventions on Ebertplatz: an outside staircase from the Eigelstein, seating in the area of the passage and an installation to make the passage visible in the street space. Last week the projects of the students were presented to the public. The interventions will be realized in the summer of 2023 for three months. The aim is to show design options for the arcade area during this time and to invite the public to try them out.
The interventions were planned as part of the “Ebertplatz 0?” project by students in the master’s degree in architecture at the Technical University of Cologne under the direction of Prof. Yasemin Utku, Dipl. Ing. Susanne Kohte and Dipl. Ing. Chris Schroeer-Heiermann.
The “Ebertplatz 0?” project started in October 2021 in cooperation with Brunnen eV and Baukultur North Rhine-Westphalia and in coordination with the City of Cologne’s cultural department, the Kölner Eigelstein eV citizens’ association, the old fire station, interim users and other actors and offices the city of Cologne.
