Die Publikation Hacking the Porcelain Industry dokumentiert ein experimentelles Designprojekt, das sich mit den gestalterischen Potenzialen von Porzellan im industriellen Kontext auseinandersetzt. In Kooperation mit der KOBER Steinwiesen GmbH & Co. KG entwickelten Studierende des Studiengangs Integriertes Produktdesign an der Hochschule Coburg visionäre Konzepte und experimentierten mit innovativen Fertigungstechniken. Der Fokus lag auf einer ergebnisoffenen, forschenden Gestaltungspraxis, die traditionelle und digitale Prozesse – darunter den 3D-Druck – neu interpretiert.

Die Publikation gibt Einblicke in die kreativen Arbeitsprozesse, die entstandenen Designobjekte sowie Strategien zur Vermittlung der Ergebnisse. Ergänzt wird sie durch das Beilagenheft Porcelain Prints, das sich speziell den gestalterischen und technischen Möglichkeiten des 3D-Drucks mit Porzellan widmet – einem Feld mit großem Zukunftspotenzial. Die Veröffentlichung zeigt, wie durch interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zwischen Hochschule und Industrie innovative Perspektiven für ein traditionsreiches Material entstehen.

This study investigates the social acceptance of integrated photovoltaic (IPV) systems in heritage and landscape contexts, focusing on Italian stakeholders in the construction sector. As part of the “BIPV meets History” research project, this study aims to identify barriers, potentials, drivers, and challenges for widespread PV technology adoption, considering heritage conservation, land preservation, energy production, and climate mitigation. A survey exploring opinions on PV technology integration was conducted. The survey was improved and extended to a total of 271 respondents, using the online method of Computer-Aided Web Interviewing (CAWI), to understand how perceptions of integrated photovoltaics have changed after COVID-19 and the European energy crisis, emphasizing aesthetic, environmental, economic, and personal aspects. The results indicate a general awareness of the technologies, with increasing acceptance in protected contexts, for historic buildings (from 51 to 68%) and especially landscapes (from 44 to 71%), driven by energy and environmental benefits. Cultural concerns, particularly the risk of impacting historical and natural identities, emerge as major barriers. Additionally, it is evident that awareness of PV panel recycling methods is still limited.

Wie kann man virtuell, ohne Körper, ohne Hände, eine Schublade öffnen?

Die erfolgreiche Kooperation von Prof. Dr. Michael Markert mit der Klassik Stiftung Weimar wurde auch in diesem Jahr fortgesetzt: In einem Pilotprojekt der Klassik Stiftung Weimar wurde Johann Wolfgang von Goethes Studier- und Arbeitszimmer von Digitus.Art hochauflösend im digitalen Raum nachgebildet. Mit dem über Neustart Kultur geförderten Projekt, können sich Besucher vom virtuellen Zimmer in Goethes Wohnhaus einen hyper-realistischen Eindruck des Raumes in einer immersiven Installation auf einer Bildschirmwand machen. Das eigentliche Zimmer im Museum darf ansonsten nur betrachtet, aber nicht betreten werden. Bislang stand vor allem die Rekonstruktion und Nachbildung des digitalen Zwillings von Goethes Arbeitszimmer im Mittelpunkt.

The abandonment and deterioration of historic rural buildings in Europe raise significant issues, including hydrogeological risks, the loss of productive land, and cultural heritage decline. Despite being underestimated, these structures hold significant potential for cultural and productive activities. Renovating these structures is crucial for local communities committed to preserving their heritage, and it is a more sustainable approach than constructing new buildings. This study explores activities undertaken in the Interreg IT/AT project “SHELTER” in Valbrenta (IT): through a participatory approach involving communities, stakeholders, designers, and researchers, an energy concept is developed for refurbishing an abandoned tobacco farm, chosen by the community, to be an alpine hut. Due to the inability to connect to the city electricity grid, the new energy concept focuses on minimizing consumption through envelope refurbishment, efficient heating, and domestic hot water systems. Additionally, the integration of renewable energy sources, particularly Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), is emphasized to preserve the building’s original appearance. This study demonstrates the feasibility of meeting seasonal energy needs entirely through renewables and explores the potential integration of biomass for meeting annual energy requirements.

The challenge of transforming historic buildings and city centers into energy-self-sufficient environments requires innovative solutions. The research project “BiPV meets History” addressed this challenge by providing comprehensive guidelines for assessing the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems in protected historic architectural contexts. To validate these guidelines, this study conducts a thorough examination of best practices through the mentioned guidelines, developing an application tool. Recognizing the power of well-communicated best practices in overcoming obstacles to integrated photovoltaic adoption, this tool is used to assess PV integration quality with respect to the best practice contained in the HiBERatlas database. The analysis of 17 successful refurbishment cases highlighted the robustness and reliability of the proposed methodology, considering aesthetic, technical, and energy aspects. This study emphasizes the potential of the guidelines for achieving a harmonious integration of renewable energy solutions with historic architectural heritage and landscape and improving usability through the developed tool.