847488 EP Entwurfsstudio 2 (vertical studio)

The Wuppertal Suspension Monorail, constructed at the end of the 19th century, is regarded as an internationally significant monument of engineering and infrastructure design. Spanning the city of Wuppertal with 20 stations, it has remained in operation to this day, despite several interruptions. Due to an urgent need for comprehensive renovation, the suspension monorail, including all track sections, stations, and particularly the terminal stations, is scheduled for a major redesign to be completed by 2032.

In this design studio, students will engage with the suspension railway as a historic, yet forward-looking and sustainable structure. The course examines the railway’s overall oeuvre from both architectural and structural perspectives, with the aim of developing contemporary reinterpretations that respond to current and future challenges.

Following an intensive phase of research and conceptual development, the studio will be offered as a Vertical Studio. This means, it will run in parallel with Bachelor’s thesis projects that have been working on this topic since the winter term, providing an excellent foundation of analyses and preliminary studies. While these materials offer valuable insights, they cannot fully replace direct spatial and experiential understanding; therefore, participation in the excursion is strongly recommended. This excursion including a ride on the Wuppertal Suspension Railway will be offered and can be credited with additional ECTS points. Furthermore, participation in Manifesta 16 Ruhr is planned as part of the academic program.

The final submissions will be developed and presented jointly with the Bachelor’s thesis projects in a curated exhibition and accompanying publication, bringing together the outcomes of the Vertical Studio in a shared public format.