invisible grounds

Riccarda Cappeller
architect. urban designer. author. researcher. curator

KONFRONTATION + VERPFLANZUNG interdisciplinary seminar | 2024
Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)
cooperation: Kathrin Jobczyk
guest: Till Wittwer

The aim of the seminar was the cinematic exploration of an urban situation in Hanover. Over three thematic blocks, audio-visual works were gradually created as installations, which were staged as a group exhibition in the “städtische Galerie KUBUS”, a local gallery. The procedure and possible starting points were introduced and discussed via inputs, theoretical texts, short presentations on artistic positions and experiments to sharpen perception and reflection or filmic form.

The filmic confrontations with the locations and their implementation in an installation were about confrontation with and in space as well as the transplanting of (spatial) experiences.

newspaper article @Hannover entdecken

film + installation observation
critical reflection
essay film
installation

PHOTOGRAPHY AS RESEARCH TOOLseminar | 2024
Coop Design Research
Bauhaus Dessau + Hochschule Anhalt

guest: Christian Dootz (Photographer)

The aim of the course was to take the political initiative “New European Bauhaus” as a starting point to investigate its challenges and goals through photography. With the focus on this topic, climate change, for example, as well as the role of designers and their capacity to shape change were to be examined. Central ideas of the Bauhäusler and photography as a tool and medium of artistic research were discussed: how can a conceptual idea be transported visually?

In addition to the theoretical examination of the topic, the aim was to develop a practical work - a photographic series - and to reflect on it in the group and through writing.

photographyurban exploration
photographic approach
academic writing

OPEN TOPIC Seminar | 2021
Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)

This seminar offers students the opportunity to prepare their BA or MA project with their own thematic focus. Through an in-depth analysis, various forms of mapping or methods of qualitative research conceptual ideas and an own approach and methodology is developed. ( research-based design). Inputs on dealing with data diversity, artistic methods and design processes provide a framework for the various projects and create a common base. Part of the discussions are spatial transformation processes, perspectives on sustainability in times of climate change and visual forms of representation for urban and social topics.

design-research observation
essay film
installation

COOPERATIVE ARCHITECTURESeminar | 2021Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)
guest: Prof. Christian von Wissel (HSB Bremen)

As a group work multiscalar mappings on three case studies in Berlin, Liverpool and Barcelona were developed. Following a design-based approach and multiple ways to visualize spatial situations, a double-perspective stressing both material and social features, was put forward. During the course we discussed urban-historical conditions and processes of change as well as models of co-creation and alternative city-making.

Mappings Liverpool (graphics) : Rebecca Wehling, Marijke Kiparski, Nolween Maurice, Christina Mauersberg

mapping in-depth research
multiscalar mapping
visual narratives
group work

BALTIC LABDesign Studio MA | 2022 Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)

The design studio was conceptualized as an exploration into the Baltic countries; Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. As a starting point to get to know the local initiatives, NGOs and collectives dealing with spatial and social transformation processes, we organized the BALTIC EXCHANGE as an online event. In parallel to a joint familiarization with the history, cultural, social and political references of the region, design projects dealing with different cities and focal points were created. E.g. The reactivation for a slab housing estate in the east of Tallinn or new connections for the harbor area in Riga

BALTIC EXCHANGE with: Keiti Kljavin, Johan Tali, Sandra Treija, Eter, Markus Rubenis, Jonas Zukauskas,Martynas Germanavicius

mappingin-depth research
urban analysis
design projects
visual narratives

NEW BAUHAUS CITY Design Studio MA | 2021
Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)

With a focus on small and medium-sized towns, labor migration, vacancies and deficits in mobility and educational opportunities, this design studio examined the potential for new, forward-looking projects as catalysts for development outside of metropolis.

Part of the course was the NEW BAUHAUS CITY DIALOGUES lecture series, which sought to broaden the view of urban transformation processes through an interdisciplinary understanding. The topics 1. “Urbanism and New Work” with Severine Marguin + Elena Militello, 2. “Urbanism and Experiments” with Lucio Nardi + Amica Dall and 3. “Urbanism + Creativity” with Alma Sarmiento + Torange Khonsari.

New Bauhaus City Dialogues

in-depth research
urban analysis
design projects
visual narratives

CIRCULAR DESIGN Seminar | 2023
Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)

This project aimed to explore spatial agency in conjunction with circular approaches through different formats; 1. the visual collection to grasp important terms and definitions from literature readings previous to the excursion to Venice. And 2. the visual essay as an own visual reflection upon the filmed materialand selected aspects of circular urbanism and design, collected in Venice.

The circular economy perspective was used to open up to a new culture of sustainability. Circularity, in both the material and immaterial sense, with a focus on resources and urban materiality as well as cultural, social and economic innovation, was explored.

visual essay urban exploration
visual collection
cinematic approach
visual reflection

SCENESSeminar | 2021/22
Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)

Based on Calvino's text series “Invisible Cities” and film footage from a workshop in Venice, this seminar introduced and discussed the visual essay as an approach to artistic and design research. The aim was to approach the critical reflection on specific urban spaces - the “Campi” in Venice as a social meeting place, its use, as well as a new kind of spatial narrative via film, using the essayistic as a fragmentary approach.

visual essayurban exploration
cinematic approach
visual reflection

HOTEL EGON – NARRATIVES Workshop | 2018
cooperation: ConstructLab
comissioned by: IBA Thüringen

The general setting for this project was a 2 weeks workshop with IBA THüringen in Apolda. The writing workshop thus was one of 7 different workshop formats the participants of the Design Built project could attend. We approached the architecture of Egon Eiermann and the activities of the other workshops by writing space as a performative practice. In addition to various experiments and the cooperation with the film workshop, we took the perspective of the objects produced on site, in order to convey their materiality, concept and use through their voice.

writing observation
interviews
site writing
visual narratives

MATERA SOUNDSCAPES Seminar | 2018
Architecture + Urban Design (LUH)
guest: Elena Zieser (sound artist)

The international workshop Matera Soundscapes explored sound as an instrument of urban design. Several audio pieces were developed in small groups on site and presented together with concepts for possible spatial installations. As a preparation for the workshop, inputs on theoretical and practical approaches to visual sociology and sound art were shared.

The workshop was part of the interdisciplinary project “Sounds of the RemoteFuture”, which is being carried out together with the Onyx Jazz Club Matera and the MateraBasilicata Foundation in 2019. The academic partners were the DiCem University of Basilicata and Leibniz Universität Hannover.

audio-visual work observation
urban analysis
site-writing
installation

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