Venice, May 19 - November 26, 2023

Exhibition at Salone Verde, Venice

UMBAU (conversion) means the continuous transformation of existing structures. Considering today’s climate goals, UMBAU must move from being the exception to becoming the rule. The exhibition by von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects (gmp) discusses recent case studies of conversion practices from the 21st century dealing with the architectural heritage of the Moderne movement. What the projects have in common is a conceptual approach to UMBAU, which, starting from a comprehensive inventory of the existing, continues and develops the old as an architectural evolution. UMBAU is not unique, but continues into the future as a Nonstop Transformation, as a collaboration spanning generations.

UMBAU has been part of gmp's practice for over forty years. Seven out of sixty projects of this kind are presented in the UMBAU Nonstop Transformation exhibition, including projects that have been completed, that are under construction, and projects in the planning phase. The buildings represent 20th century architecture from Germany and China. On display are the Berlin State Library at the Kulturforum (1978 / since 2019), the Berlin Olympic Stadium (1936 / 2004), the Kulturpalast Dresden (1969 /2017), concrete shell constructions like the Hyparschale in Magdeburg (1969 / 2024) and the Alster-Schwimmhalle in Hamburg (1973 / 2023). It also features the transformation of Shanghai's largest stainless steel factory (1986 / since 2021) into the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and the transformation of a former transformer building in Munich (1929 / 2021) into the Isarphilharmonie at Gasteig HP8. The exhibition traces processes of the continuous transformation of the buildings - from original to UMBAU.

Curators Stephan Schütz and Nikolaus Goetze with Detlef Jessen-Klingenberg Curatorial Advisor Florian Heilmeyer Exhibition Team Rodrigo Andaeta, Marta Busnelli, Heidi Knaut, Amran Salleh, Cornelia Schwarte Exhibition May 19 - November 26, 2023, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Admission free

Salone Verde Sestiere Santa Croce 2258, Calle della Regina, 30135 Venice

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