UMBAU. Nonstop Transformation
gmp exhibition at the Goethe-Institut New York is open
From October 10 to November 6, the exhibition UMBAU. Nonstop Transformation will be on display at the Goethe-Institut New York. Conversion instead of demolition and new construction is one of the most socially, economically, and culturally relevant topics of our time. At the opening on October 9, this multifaceted context of the exhibition was explored from various perspectives. Speakers included Dr. Jörg Schumacher, Director of the Goethe-Institut New York; Mariella de Carvalho, Head of the Department of Culture and Science at the German Consulate General; Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at gmp and curator of the exhibition; and Christopher Hawthorne, journalist and architecture critic.
© Erik Rank
For nearly fifty years, the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) have been engaged with the topic of conversion (UMBAU). The UMBAU. Nonstop Transformation project began in 2023 with an exhibition during the 18th Architecture Biennale in Venice, which then, in the spring of 2024, was shown in Hamburg, the founding location of gmp. At each venue, a selection of specific examples from the firm's ninety renovation projects is presented, featuring buildings that are either completed, currently at the design stage, or under construction.
© Erik Rank
In New York, six projects of different typologies are being presented, representing a cross-section of the current global challenges in conversion. The transformation of skyscrapers is a focus, as is the conversion of cultural and sports buildings in Europe and Asia. On display are the recently completed Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, the Isarphilharmonie Gasteig HP8 in Munich, which integrates a former transformer hall, the extension of the Kunsthalle Mannheim, and the renovation of the Chao Hotel in Beijing. Also featured are the conversion of Shanghai's largest stainless steel factory into the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and the design for the conversion of Hans Scharoun's State Library at the Kulturforum in Berlin.
© Erik Rank
The selection exemplifies gmp's specific approach to UMBAU: through a comprehensive exploration, concepts are developed that ensure contemporary use whilst also relating to the existing building fabric. At its core, the focus is always on reactivating what already exists in all its diversity. The past, present, and future of the projects are represented through film, models, and architectural drawings.
UMBAU. Nonstop Transformation in New York is part of the Archtober architecture and design festival and is also represented at the “Open House New York Weekend”.
© Erik Rank
From October 18 to 26, 2024, the UMBAU. Nonstop Transformation exhibition will be on show at Architektur Galerie Berlin, focusing on modern buildings in the former East Germany. On show will be the refurbished and converted Hyparschale in Magdeburg, the Kulturpalast Dresden, and the Pressehaus at Alexanderplatz.
Curators: Stephan Schütz and Nikolaus Goetze with Detlef Jessen-Klingenberg
Curatorial Advisor: Florian Heilmeyer
Exhibition: Oct 9th - Nov 6th, 2024 (Free admission)
Regular Exhibition Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 10am-6pm
Extended Exhibition Hours:
Friday, Oct 12, 10am-6pm
Saturday, Oct 13, 12pm-6pm
Accompanying program:
Panel discussion, Oct 10, 6:30 pm
Cultural Transformations: Rethinking Spaces & Places for Art
With: Jack Murphy (Editor-in-Chief, The Architect's Newspaper; Moderator), Jeanne Gang (FAIA, FRIBA, Founding Partner Studio Gang), Jhaelen Hernandez-Eli (Vice President Capital Projects, The Metropolitan Museum of Art), András Szántó (Ph.D, Consultant for Cultural Strategies), Stephan Schütz (Executive Partner, gmp)
Panel discussion, Oct 16, 6:30 pm
A Greener Path: Adaptive Reuse & Sufficiency
With: Joann Gonchar (FAIA, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Architectural Record; Moderation), Magdalene Weiss (Executive Partner, gmp), Tobias Keyl (Associate Partner, gmp), Dan Bergsagel (Head of Sustainability, schlaich bergermann partner)
Registration via eventbrite.com/a-greener-path
Open House New York Weekend:
Friday-Sunday, Oct 18-20, 10am-6pm
Guided tours of the exhibition, daily 11am, 12pm, 1pm
www.ohny.org
Goethe-Institut New York
30 Irving Place,
New York, NY 10003
www.umbau.gmp.de
www.goethe.de
Partner: Goethe-Institut New York
With the kind support of: ERCO
gmp · Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner
Detlef Jessen-Klingenberg
Head of Communications
www.gmp.de
Presse contact:
Cornelia Schwarte
PR & Communications
T +49.30.617 85 631
cschwarte@gmp.de
