E-Werk – Shaping the Future (Development and Establishment of the “Altes E-Werk” as a Community Center in Blankenburg)

The main goal of the current project is to develop a viable concept for a “third place” in the rural Harz region. At the heart of the project is the visionof bringing the historic, currently unused “Alte E-Werk” in Blankenburg back to life and transforming it into a central hub for social interaction. To ensure that this space will eventually be socially embedded, environmentally sound, and economically viable, we are pursuing the following core objectives during the conceptual phase:

Creating a space for participation
We are developing the concept for the site’s use not on the drawing board, but directly from within the local community. The primary goal is to involve Blankenburg’s residents in the planning process from the very beginning. Through joint workshops, dialogue formats, and citizen participation initiatives, we aim to identify which services are truly needed to foster intergenerational encounters and break down social barriers in rural areas.

Sustainable Revitalization of an Industrial Landmark
The 130-year-old electrical power station is to be preserved as a building that defines the area’s identity and adapted to the present day. Our goal is to explore, as part of the concept development, how the rugged charm of historic industrial architecture can be combined with modern requirements for climate protection and accessibility. Instead of demolition and new construction, we are committed to preserving the existing building fabric. At the same time, we are developing strategies to ensure the building can be operated in a resource-efficient and affordable manner in the future.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration for New Ownership Models
The structural challenges facing a small town cannot be solved from a single perspective. Therefore, our process aims to bring a wide variety of stakeholders to the table. We combine the formal knowledge from city administration and academic planning with the practical experience of social workers, cultural professionals, and craftspeople, and—in particular—the everyday knowledge of citizens. By breaking away from traditional planning structures, we aim to develop an innovative and solidarity-based operating model that combines volunteer engagement, social work, and economic viability in the long term.