Re:treat Döschnitz – Kreislaufgerechtes Bauen zwischen Stadt & Land

As a collective of architects, heritage conservationists, and cultural professionals, Haus Döschnitz e.V. is dedicated to the structural reinforcement and programmatic revitalisation of a listed timber-framed house, built in 1700, in the Thuringian village of Döschnitz. In this effort, the association employs circular construction approaches, progressive heritage conservation methods, and community-oriented event formats. The goal is to create a new place for regular exchange and experimental practices, offering individuals and groups the opportunity to collaboratively learn, work, and live in the Schwarza Valley.

The design studio Re:treat Döschnitz (in German) has focused on advancing these objectives by translating the association’s core values into concrete design proposals for a new shelter on-site: a simple accommodation for guests, built from reused regional materials, that extends local usage scenarios. Throughout the semester, students emphasised temporary living and working on-site, including hands-on learning experiences with circular and earth construction techniques. The design studio was conducted by the Natural Building Lab (TU Berlin) in cooperation with the Department of Structural Design and Construction (TU Berlin), the association Haus Döschnitz e.V., and mata architects, Berlin.