Conference Parameter des Bestands

Date: November 7–8, 2025
Location: Kunsthalle Dessau, Hobuschgasse 5, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau

On November 7–8, 2025, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Lübeck University of Applied Sciences, and Anti-Abriss-Allianz (Anti-Demolition Alliance) will jointly host a conference in Dessau entitled Parameter des Bestands (Parameters of Existing Buildings), which will explore the fundamental principles for dealing with modernist buildings. The central question is how to imbue architecture with value (beyond financial considerations)—by considering perspectives from building culture, ecology, and social issues. This event will take place at the Kunsthalle Dessau as part of the Bauhaus centenary celebrations. Here—in a former commercial and social space within the centrally located prefabricated apartment building known as the „Scheibe Nord“—the parameters of modernism can be most vividly re-examined and expanded to include contemporary issues.
The conference is conceived as an open, interdisciplinary, and participatory format modeled on a cultural hackathon. Over two days, participants will work together with selected students (Anhalt University of Applied Sciences) and invited experts on specific buildings currently undergoing transformation. Initial ideas will evolve into concrete micro-projects, which will be continually contextualized, presented, and documented by accompanying specialists. Oliver Elser, curator at the German Architecture Museum (DAM), will deliver the keynote address on the second day. The conference will be held in German language.

Organized by
Prof. Dr. habil. Karin Berkemann (Anhalt University of Applied Sciences),
Prof. Dr. Alexander Stumm (Lübeck University of Applied Sciences),
Corinna Tell (Anti-Abriss-Allianz)