Alternative Material Narratives

Alternative Material Narratives at TU Vienna will continue its exploration of material research and adaptive reuse grounded in bioregional design strategies. Building on three years of work within LINA, we connect hands-on experimentation with critical reflection to forge new relationships between materials, people, and places. In 2025/26, our activities will be twofold: through lectures, seminars, and discussions, we will deepen a critical understanding of materials as parts of complex ecosystems, while hands-on workshops and design studios will be held at Stadtgarten in Gmunden, Salzkammergut, part of the European Capital of Culture 2024. The site will serve as a testing ground for adaptive reuse strategies and the development of alternative material narratives rooted in the material, social, and cultural identity of the place.

Time frame: Preparatory phase: December 2025 - February 2026. Production phase and course with the students: March - May 2026.