NEB-Tischlerei-Melk - Development of a former joinery site into a multipliable European lighthouse NEB neighbourhood

Starting point and motivation

The area looks back on a history of almost a hundred years of use, with key aspects of the "New European Bauhaus" program (NEB for short) having always been anchored:

From 1938 to 2008, the place housed the production facility of the carpentry "Fürst Möbel GmbH", which produced its furniture with a focus on high aesthetic and sustainable standards. However, the production facility represented more of a multifunctional urban district, as the individual buildings on the site also contained living space, offices, craft rooms and common areas (e.g. kitchen gardens and sauna for people inside and outside the company) - not least in order to ensure inclusion and community living.

The carpentry business grew continuously over the decades, so the production facility was relocated in 2008 due to a lack of space. The subsequent use of part of the area immediately began as a cultural and theater stage called "Tischlerei Kulturwerkstatt", which has since welcomed over 150,000 visitors.

The existing vacant spaces, the condition of the historic buildings and the high potential of the location very close to the old town of Melk and the world-famous Melk Abbey motivate a comprehensive district development process.

Due to the values ​​of the 150-year-old family business of Fürst Holding GmbH and the comprehensive coverage of the values ​​of the New European Bauhaus program, the "Tischlerei Melk" is to be developed in such a way that it meets the highest standards of the NEB compass and is a showcase project of international appeal.

Contents and goals

The overarching goal of the project is to further develop the "Melk Joinery" neighborhood project in accordance with the principles of the New European Bauhaus into a vision of an NEB neighborhood that is ready for implementation. For this purpose, three sub-goals or methodical process steps are pursued:

• Goal 1: Interdisciplinary, inclusive development of planning goals and criteria by which the degree of fulfillment of the requirements of the NEB program can be assessed.
• Goal 2: Development of the ready-to-implement vision of the NEB district "Tischlerei Melk" through a cooperative, co-creative planning process.
• Goal 3: Preparation for the implementation of the NEB district "Tischlerei Melk".

Methods

NEB-Tischlerei-Melk is particularly characterized by the following innovative methodological approach:

• Cross-generational project perspective – life cycle of at least 150 years (model: Melk Abbey, already 300 years old)
• High level of ambition, quality standards and disruptive development process
• Broad-based development and participation process
• The impact potential of the NEB-Tischlerei-Melk project is enormous – through proximity to Melk Abbey, strategic partnerships, broad involvement of stakeholders and actors

Expected results

The intended outcome of the project is the development of a specific, ready-to-implement vision of the NEB district "Tischlerei Melk" in the form of an architectural, urban planning and technical concept. Participation and co-creation are intended to generate broad support and acceptance among the population and relevant stakeholders.

In addition, further implementation steps such as the project schedule will be comprehensively prepared, networking with the NEB community will be intensified and publishable study documents will be developed.

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