Within the project "NEB-Tischlerei-Melk" a joint vision for the New European Bauhaus – Quarter "Tischlerei Melk" was developed for the former production site of "Tischlerei Fürst" through a co-creative, participatory innovation process. The area is located just next to the world-famous Melk Abbey and Melk's historic town center. The quarter is intended to be a lighthouse project with international appeal and attraction and will be realized step by step according to the project results achieved, making a key contribution to the NEB initiative. The vision for the quarter project should also consider implementation strategies, objectives and sets of measures, the necessary processes, as well as architectural, urban planning and building culture strategies, and the involvement of citizens and residents.

"Tischlerei Melk" is the first NEB project to be developed and implemented in a rural area of Europe. Elements of the New European Bauhaus – Initiative were already incorporated into the existing building complex, constructed in 1938, such as the combination of craftsmanship, art, and aesthetics in furniture production within a community-oriented, multifunctional building complex (living, working, workshops, kitchen gardens, and communal areas for both employees and the public). The vision for the future was therefore able to draw upon, rediscover, and further develop historical experiences.
The specific implementation of the NEB principles for the "Tischlerei Melk" quarter was carried out in an interdisciplinary, co-creative, and participatory manner, involving citizens, residents, four architectural offices, various stakeholders and experts. This process initially resulted in a catalog of NEB objectives and a set of tasks to be solved, which were then addressed by the architects. One of these projects was selected as the vision for the further development of the NEB district.
Based on the project results, the following conclusions are summarized and formulated as theses:

• An open-mind and heart for community-based working is key essential for the successful implementation of a NEB neighborhood
• The objectives of a NEB neighborhood, like the initiative's core principles, should be planned and pursued in an interlinked and integral manner.
• NEB neighborhoods require an intergenerational project perspective.
• The growth of NEB neighborhoods is determined organically, not by physical construction.

The further development and implementation of the NEB quarter "Tischlerei Melk" will be pursued as a demonstration project within the follow-up project "NEB Tischlerei 150+". This project is funded by the Climate and Energy Fund and is being carried out as part of the initiative "Leuchttürme der Wärmewende 2024".

Project management

Fürst Holding GmbH

Project or cooperation partners

• AKXSO GmbH
• Fachhochschule St. Pölten GmbH
• M.O.O.CON GmbH

Lukas Fürst, MSc, MA
Jakob-Prandtauer-Straße 11
A-3390 Melk
Tel.: +43 (676) 84 70 70 810
E-mail: l.fuerst@fuerst-moebel.at
Web: www.fuerst-moebel.at