Friday Group: Tradition + Transfer

Friday Group: Tradition + Transfer

For centuries, a mindful and economioc approach to materials in architecture and everyday life was taken for granted. This changed with the increasing rationalisation of production in the modern era, as well as the development of industrially manufactured building materials. In many places, this marked the end of the long tradition of design and use that was mindful of materials and the circular economy. Today, there is a growing interest in ancient craft techniques, indigenous and traditional knowledge, and practical applications. In the Friday group entitled ‘Tradition and Transfer’, we explore these possibilities and how they can be adapted to meet today’s needs.

Language: German

Welcome
Lena Kozik

Presentation:
Tradition despite innovation – limitations and potential in the craft trades
Finia Dannenberg, owner of Theodor Dannenberg Carpentry

Since 1905, the art of carpentry has been passed down from generation to generation in the Dannenberg family. In 2025, 21-year-old master carpenter Finia Dannenberg took over the business from her father, Theodor. She tells us about her day-to-day life as an entrepreneur and her outlook on the future of the craft.

Film:
Diébédo Francis Kéré: Architecture is a Wake-Up Call
This short film explores the social and sustainable architectural philosophy of the architect, who hails from Burkina Faso and lives in Berlin. Kéré understands architecture as a social process that involves engaging the people for whom the buildings are being constructed and turning the initiative into their own project. The short film was produced in 2014 by the Louisiana Channel of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

Lecture:
Living labs as a driving force behind the culture of transformation
Prof. Andrea Klinge and Prof. Eike Roswag-Klinge
Prof. Andrea Klinge is an architect and professor of circular construction with many years’ experience in sustainable architecture, research and the development of circular, low-tech construction methods. Her work focuses on natural building materials such as clay, timber and natural fibres, as well as their practical application in research, teaching and construction projects.

Prof. Eike Roswag-Klinge has headed the Natural Building Lab at the Technical University of Berlin since 2017. For over 20 years, he has been conducting research into climate- and resource-adaptive architecture across various climate zones. This research forms the basis for his teaching, his designs and his building projects.

DIY Interaction:
Powertools to the People—DIY as a transformative cultural practice
Hannes Wilke, designer at the ZEKIWA Zeitz real-world laboratory, New European Bauhaus
With a brief introduction to the history of DIY culture, Hannes Wilke lays the groundwork for us to get hands-on. Together, we will use simple methods to build small wooden benches.

Food + Drink:
Vicia faba – Culinary innovation with the field bean
Urbane Farm
The field bean is a traditional crop that is thought to originate from the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean region. It is currently enjoying a resurgence, both in terms of cultivation and as part of a healthy diet. It improves soil quality and, with its high protein content, is regarded as a local alternative to soya. Having all but disappeared from our fields, it is making a comeback in gardens and in modern cuisine.

Discussion:
The social significance of craftsmanship
Following an introductory talk by Rolf Hüffer, editor at SWR, and Pierre Ozimek from the Halle/Saale Chamber of Crafts, they will discuss the topic with Finia Dannenberg and Hannes Wilke.

The Friday Group follows in the tradition of the Bauhaus in Dessau of actively engaging with social challenges and getting involved.

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