Bordesholm House

The impetus for the project came from the increasing decline in the significance of traditional building culture and the functional diversity of old farmhouses. This decline is linked to the disappearance of settlement elements that shape the landscape and foster a sense of identity, as well as regional history and traditions. At the same time, there is a growing need in rural areas for spaces dedicated to community activities, such as meeting places, employment opportunities, regional marketing initiatives, or sustainable educational programs. The Bordesholmer Haus project was developed at the suggestion of Deputy District Administrator Manfred Christiansen and in close collaboration with him and other stakeholders. Using this example, students in the Department of Civil Engineering worked during the 2020–2021 winter semester to explore how the possibilities of regionally characteristic building culture can be combined with the demands of sustainable rural development. Building on the basic elements of a traditional house design, they developed concepts for use that, by drawing on the traditional functional diversity of these houses, provide spaces to address the challenges of rural regional development, engage with the materials and elements of regional building culture, and at the same time strengthen a sense of connection to the history of the town and the region. The study project took place in close collaboration with partners from the municipality of Sören, the Bordesholm administrative office, the Molfsee Open-Air Museum, and other partners from the construction industry and the State Library. It provided students with in-depth insight into the possibilities for adapting old house types and historic buildings to meet new usage requirements. At the same time, it also highlighted the needs of young people for living and working in rural areas. The study project was linked to the “Bordesholmer Haus – Regional Building” project. The results can be found in a brochure published in 2022. The brochure is available at the Bordesholm municipal office or can be downloaded here .