Graduate Theses

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Arthalle X : maker's market in Berlin : contemporizing historic Arminius Markthalle through reprogramming
(2020) Angra, Spardha; Ebert, Carola; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; master's thesis in Interior Design
"The history of markets in Berlin dates back to the 15th century, when it had only three weekly markets held every Tuesday. In order to address the expansion of Berlin, Industrial Revolution and to cater to a rapidly growing population of the city, more markets were built and by 1860s it had over twenty weekly markets held every Tuesday and Thursday, on the streets. Several problems like questionable hygiene conditions, chaos on streets, high demand prices and dependency on weather led the government to search for better alternatives to tackle the situation. In 1875, the magistrate established a permanent commission to build affordable design plans for fourteen municipal market halls. City building councillor Herman Blankenstein and architect August Lindemann were appointed to design these plans as the project took off in the 1880s. Market halls soon became successful gathering points for each neighborhood. However, due to fierce competition from supermarket chains and destruction during the Second World War, only a few of them survive today. This thesis focuses on one such market hall, Arminius Markthalle (Market Hall X). The rich history of art and culture in the city, as well as the establishment of market halls into historically designated landmarks further forms the layers of the thesis. The research is guided through data from Berlin's monumental preservation authorities, exclusive interviews with the owner of Arminius Markthalle, as well as surveys conducted for artists residing in the city. The design project would be a direct reflection of learnings from the research and offer a plausible solution to the pertinent research question. The design project is an attempt to make this historic landmark culturally relevant today. It intends to adaptively reuse and rejuvenate an existing, preserved building through strategically reprogramming its functions into a Makers' Market. This conceptualized typology of a market creates an inclusive public place and integrates the design functions within, to support local art and artists. This structurally preserved market hall, that spans across an entire city block, turns into a flourishing indoor Makers' Market where artists from different fields of design come together to work, showcase and collaborate. It also provides an opportunity for the city, its tourists, and creative organizations to discover up-and-coming brands."
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Conversion of 1960s office buildings into residential spaces
(2021) Dirnbacher, Martina; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; Larsen, Sigurd; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : The increasingly frequent vacancy of 60s office buildings, due to the change in the way of working, and the change in society was the reason for this master's thesis, which examines the conversion of an office building into a residential building. The co-living program was examined in more detail as the best solution for the 60s building and its structure. Based on literature review followed by the analysis of case studies and the application of the results on the design proposal the question: how can 60s office buildings in central locations within the city of Vienna be made suitable for co-living? is answered. The conversion ensures the continuity of 60s buildings, whose location is very suitable for a residential building. Moreover, is the conversion cheaper than demolition and new construction and also more sustainable. The co-living model perfectly fits in the small offices from the 60s to accommodate apartments for single and two-person households, which are increasing. The thesis shows that the structure of 60s office buildings is very suitable for a wide range of residential programs. The best option is a residential model with apartments for one or two people, as they fit best into the small spaces. Moreover, the conversion into a residential building is a very good option for 60s office buildings to preserve the building but not to let it decay
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Illuminating the Shadows : Light Consideration in the Design of Repurposed Spaces
(2021) Duwederi, Lana; Goodwin, Amara; Martín, Javier; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : In the following, an outline of mankind's evolution in the form of lighting consideration is presented. Lighting consideration is recognised as an important element in the design of repurposed spaces today, whether it be historical or new. Thus, leading to the research question: "What aspects of light design need to be considered in repurposed spaces in order to meet the contemporary user needs?" The response to the research question threads, light, time, and man. The paper establishes the importance of light in a space and how humans interact with it to fulfill their needs. Of course, design challenges with adaptive reuse and other solutions are considered. Finally, the paper draws upon the existing and prior knowledge to discuss the future of light in repurposed spaces. Essentially, it is an exploration of the dynamic between nature and humans and their environments. A design proposal that offers a carefully considered lighting solution is proposed. Through an exploration of a wide range of studies and findings, it appears evident that repurposed spaces must consider the human needs for light
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Reestablishing Relevance in Historic GDR Architecture
(2021) Forster, Lisa; Goodwin, Amara; Martín, Javier; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : Berlin has a unique history of war and subsequent division into two political and ideological systems, made visible to this day in its extraordinary architecture. Over thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the value of the architecture of the socialist regime remains a contentious topic. While some structures are celebrated and listed as historic monuments, others have become vacant and unwanted. The cityscape of Eastern Berlin is still shaped by these historic buildings, despite the extensive destruction of GDR era architecture in the years after the reunification. The remaining GDR buildings are often associated with multifaceted issues extending beyond concerns of usability, the building's quality and architectural value or problems of memory and heritage of a totalitarian system. However, despite the wide variety of buildings of different eras and styles, there appears to be a lack of diversity in dealing with Berlin's GDR architecture, highlighted by the absence of meaningful adaptive reuse projects within this architectural typology. The relevance of the practice of adaptive reuse, the alteration and reprogramming of the existing built environment, on the other hand, has grown steadily in recent years. While buildings have been reused by humankind for thousands of years for mainly practical reasons, global issues of sustainability, a lack of resources and urban living space have seen a sharp increase in the adaptation and reuse of subsisting structures. A heightened interest in memory and heritage has added to the discussion of the adequate treatment of the built environment. While adaptive reuse certainly aids in the solving of rather functional issues which ever-growing cities like Berlin face, it can also play an essential role in revitalising historic buildings by equipping them with a new use and therefore preventing their abandonment and decay, all the while respecting their heritage. The exploration of adaptive reuse as a means for reestablishing GDR architecture shows particular relevance in the city of Berlin, where monument protection authorities in the past have made questionable decisions such as the rebuilding of the Stadtschloss1 (Figs. 2 and 4) in place of the demolished Palast der Republik2 (Fig. 3) on its Museum Island. At the same time, the rebuilding and restoration of historic structures to their original state bring with it issues of authenticity, oftentimes stripping the building not only of layers of its past but "freezing" it in time, further preventing it from having a meaningful future shaped by its occupants and its continued use (Plevoets and Van Cleempoel 2019, 1; Scott 2008, 1; Stone 2020, 3). A fate shared by an increasing number of monument protected buildings of GDR times in Berlin. This thesis will first investigate architectural theory surrounding adaptive reuse and memory to form a framework for the subsequent examination of existing approaches to GDR architecture in Berlin. The aim of the analysis of three buildings of different GDR times and architectural styles is to establish the value assigned to these structures and the memory associated with them today. The thesis will further explore the reasons for the apparent bias in their treatment and the absence of adaptive reuse projects in this building category. The related design project of the thesis intends to illustrate the suitability of adaptive reuse as a response to these GDR era structures by reprogramming and altering an unused and decaying pavilion of the era and re- establishing it as a vital part of its surroundings
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Reimagining the interior architecture of Albanian Hammam baths : identifying design strategies in the adaptive reuse of Bazaar's Hammam
(2020) Stafa, Bora; Larsen, Sigurd; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; master's thesis in Interior Design
"This research thesis explores the architecture of Hammam typology and proposes a strategy of adaptive reuse to save these buildings upon a specific region, in Albania. Hammam structures, which used to combine daily and sacred life by providing water to support body and soul, should be regarded as gems of cultural heritage that reconnect people to their past but also to their future. After the introduction aiming to present the reader with the research aim and methodology, a short historic architectural overview is done. Two of the most representative cases of Albanian Hammam typologies still exist, in the city of Elbasan, although abandoned and forgotten in time. The research addresses two consequences of the historical heritage Hammam's development. Firstly, the way in which Hammam's heritage has been leftover and is being demolished; secondly, the need to rebuild heritage and community without any loss of identity in the city. The research leads to a design project exemplifying the adaptive re-use approach, when dealing with a historical structure, witnessing cultural values. Remodeling and alterations are necessary to result in new possibilities of saving these structures from degradation and complete demolition. The attempt of the research, as well as the project, is to re-imagine the interior qualities of Hammam in the present time."
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Reinvigorating the Lost Relevance of Soviet Architecture in Ukraine Through Adaptive Reuse Strategy
(2021) Shaban, Leila; Goodwin, Amara; Martín, Javier; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : In post-Soviet Ukraine the value of Soviet Modernism architecture is underestimated. Despite the victory of the Soviet Union in WWII and its competition with Western powers over decades, independent Ukrainains today associate the Soviet architecture with its dark times of the totalitarian regime. The unawareness of the importance is threatening these buildings with extinction. Political and economical situations in the country have shifted the issue of conservation to a secondary concern. Unfortunately even the most prominent individual buildings suffer from the indifference of the authorities and the public. However, the ruins, monuments and abandoned buildings of the Soviet epoch uncover a vast source of architectural expressions and metaphors of the political movements of that time. Architectural identity unwinds the ambitious avant garde constructivism, representational style of Stalinism and the rebelling calls of Brutalism. As a communicative tool, Soviet architecture metaphors have a vast impact on the social and cultural identity of the present Ukrainians and affect the formation of the future generations. Historically rich structures of Soviet times should be reinvigorated with a contemporary approach. The abandoned, neglected and ruined Soviet buildings, should be protected and reused, by bringing back awareness to the public. Several interrelated components of preserving the authenticity and integrity of the architectural and urban Soviet heritage of Ukraine must be taken into account: the physical recovery of objects, the increasing of the value of architectural heritage in the public consciousness and its introduction to modern culture, and the search for effective, legally sound levers to stimulate user interest towards its preservation and support. This research thesis explores the architecture of the Soviet era, the metaphors entwined into the construction and proposes a strategy of Adaptive Reuse with the purpose of revival of the existing Soviet buildings instead of their demolishment and decay. The Adaptive Reuse strategy is a necessary and effective solution to prolong life of Soviet architecture in Ukraine. The expired program of the initial host structure can be replaced with a new relevant program, which as a result will have a positive economical and social impact. Adaptive Reuse interventions, will save and reinforce the "DNA" of the heritage building of post-Soviet Ukraine. The implementation of the contemporary social needs will integrate new identity and metaphors into the historic Soviet buildings. Joining and entwining the metaphors of the past Soviet ideology and the present modern world, will not only preserve cultural heritage but also create unique projects that can benefit the local population, save financial and ecological resources by eliminating the need of demolition and new construction
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Spiritual Architecture and Multi-Sensory Design : Adaptive Reuse of a Church
(2021) Gül, Yasmin; Brünjes, Katrin; Pöğün-Zander, Yüksel; Interior Architecture / Interior Design
MACHINE-GENERATED SUMMARY NOTE : Spirituality, meaning to return to the human soul and mind, is a relevant topic to consider for designing spaces. This change in behavior shifts the demand for an architectural space. In order to be spiritually active the body needs to work together with the senses. That is why it is important to understand how the senses work together and how that can be implicated into an interior space. The goal of the thesis is to answer how spirituality influences designing with the senses. For this purpose the following research question will be asked: How does spirituality influence the atmospheric and sensory experience of an interior space? To answer the research question information sources were analysed and combined. In order to explain the gathered information, case studies were used to give insight into the implementation of the gathered information. The analysis of the given information material shows that the senses all need to work together in order to create a spatial atmosphere. Additionally, transition spaces are an important part - spiritually but also organizationally - to create a multi-sensory experience
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The Effect of Natural and Artificial Lighting Balance on Architectural Design with Light Sensors in Post-Industrial Buildings
(2025) Yakup Erez Kartay; Esther Berkhoff ,Roger Wilson; Architecture (BA); Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
This thesis examines the process of transforming a post-industrial building, which can be considered part of industrial heritage, into a Smart Systems Research and Testing Center that meets today's needs. This transformation was designed using a holistic approach that focuses not only on the physical structure but also on the building's relationship with the city, its historical identity, and user experience. The main focus of the thesis is to demonstrate the contribution of light sensors to spatial quality, user comfort, and energy efficiency by balancing natural and artificial lighting within the context of architectural design. Within the scope of the literature review, themes such as adaptive reuse, smart lighting systems, sustainability, spatial experience, and user-centered design were evaluated in a multi-layered manner. The transformation process of the existing structure located in the city of Görlitz was designed with the aim of preserving the historical fabric, ensuring technological integration, and strengthening relationships with the city. The project was designed with consideration given to the strategic transformation policies promoted by the city of Görlitz in the areas of entrepreneurship and cultural production. In the design decisions, the light sensors operate in response to time, user density, and spatial function, supporting not only visual comfort but also an interactive and sustainable user experience. In this context, the project serves as an important example both in terms of integrating technological advancements with an architectural approach and in preserving cultural heritage for future generations. Keywords: Adaptive reuse, smart systems, light sensor, user experience, industrial heritage, energy efficiency
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The Role of Adaptive Reuse in Urban Space Experience The Case of a Film and Media Museum as a Space of Memory and Interaction
(2025) Burak Kaan Can; Esther Berkhoff and Roger Wilson; Architecture (BA); Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
This thesis explores how adaptive reuse can shape urban experience by transforming an abandoned industrial building in Görlitz, Germany, into a Film and Media Museum. It examines how reusing heritage structures as cultural spaces strengthens collective memory, interaction, and urban identity. Drawing on theories of heritage preservation and experiential museology, and referencing cases like Tate Modern in London, the study shows that reused buildings can balance historic character with new cultural functions. The Görlitz site, known as “Görliwood,” provides a unique context. The proposed museum integrates exhibitions, workshops, a media archive, and multipurpose spaces within the industrial shell. The thesis concludes that adaptive reuse is not only preservation but also a creative strategy that generates urban continuity and shared cultural experience.