This year's Structural Design B will focus on the Opel fabrication facility in Aspern and investigate how to adaptively reuse this large structure. 

With the input from Prof Ute Schneider of TU Wien, the first part of the semester you willfocus on the assessment of the existing building, a 136,000 sqm large former factory, its structural system and capacities and the posibilities to transform it into different usage. Ute Schneider, who is an urban designer, will provide introductions to the context and potential urban strategies.

Biulding on that, in the second part we will ask you to investigate possible modifications of the structure within the limits and possibilities established, and the development of a modular system for the flexible use of the vast covered spaces of the former factory. 

Working in groups, we will expect presentations using images, sketches, descriptions and working models for both parts of the seminar: (1) your findings of the existing and (2) your proposals for the modifications and the modular construction systems. 

You will be working in groups of 5 with different assignments which we expect to come together as part of an overall approach to both the assessment and the potential future modifications.

The format of the seminar is in person and will require your active input.  Your contributions in class are as important as the final exam. You will be expected to prepare for each class. Your progress of the work will equally be part of the overall assessment.