aac Academy for Architectural Culture

A Continuous Circuit

In Group 04’s design, a new building structure, like machine, establishes a closed circuit – a tangential route guides visitors, forming a contrasting element.

The project was developed during the aac Spring Workshop 2024“City for Dreams”, investigating how architectural design can guide movement through the former Hayfilm Studios in Yerevan, Armenia, creating new spatial sequences and experiences for visitors within the future Film City.

Members: Alessia Beni, Maximilian Vogel, Melanya Hakobyan and Tamás Kocsis
Tutor: Annika Göttle

Interested in joining the next challenge?

Apply now for the aac Spring Workshop in February/March 2027: https://tinyurl.com/2tnst6dt

A Central Spine

In Group 03’s design, a monolithic strip of studios and visitor facilities runs through the center of the historic studio ensemble.

The project was developed during the aac Spring Workshop 2024 “City for Dreams”, where participants explored how new spatial structures can reorganize the historic studio ensemble of Armenia’s Film City, integrating production facilities and visitor programs within a unified architectural concept.

Members: Aram Nazaryan, Jiaqi Zhou, Katharina Niesing and Tim Arne Böttcher
Tutor: Prof. Philipp Kamps

Interested in joining the next challenge?
Apply now for the aac Spring Workshop in February/March 2027: https://tinyurl.com/2tnst6dt

Balancing Density and Openness

The design of the second group creates two new volumes that follow on from the existing buildings. Together, they form a close-knit, appealing ensemble that contrasts with the spacious surroundings and opens up views towards the Armenian mountains.

The project was developed during the aac Spring Workshop 2024“City for Dreams”, where participants addressed the challenge of transforming the former Hayfilm Studios into an upmarket, international center for artistic work—combining film production, a cinema complex, a museum with archives, and public amenities.

Members: Leon Kremer, Marah Doleh, Mineh Nazarian and Qixuan Hu
Tutor: Sona Kazemi

Interested in joining the next challenge?

Apply now for the aac Spring Workshop 2027: https://tinyurl.com/2tnst6dt

Mirroring the Landscape

The first group’s design mirrors the existing buildings into the open landscape. The new buildings merge with the terrain over several levels –leading to a stepped arrangement that adds to the studio landscape.

The project was developed during the aac Spring Workshop 2024 “City for Dreams”, where participants worked on designs for a revitalization of Armenia’s Film City. By retaining the existing buildings, it is possible to maintain people’s emotional connection with the studio site, while new structures provide space for modern usage and allow the public to experience the new City for Dreams.

Members: Arusyak Sadoyan, Benedikt Fietz, Lucy Millichamp and Yi Du
Tutor: Anja Meding

Interested in joining the next challenge?

Apply now for the aac Spring Workshop 2027: https://tinyurl.com/2tnst6dt

Good to see you again! 🎓

This week, .maass travelled to Hanover to celebrate a special moment with several aac alumni: the presentation of their master's theses at Leibniz University Hannover.

It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, catch up, and see where their journeys have taken them since their time at aac.

Congratulations to d a n i e l , , and on their achievement. We are proud to be part of your journey and look forward to seeing what comes next!

Image: Enno Maass

One Park, Four Strategies

We’re concluding the series with the proposal of group 04 for the WAI Woods Art Institute in Wentorf, which was developed during the aac Autumn Workshop 2024.

Four groups, four distinct approaches — all demonstrating how intuitive movement through space can result from design diversity rather than standardisation.

Together, these projects provide valuable insights for future park design and raise new questions about perception, orientation and long-term spatial experience.

Group 04 explores the use of timber columns as spatial and programmatic markers. Their proposal features wooden stelae arranged in various geometric formations to create activity zones spread across the site, guiding visitors with subtle spatial cues.

Members: Conor Matthew Ryan, Jovan Theophilus Amin, Anna Ławecka, Simon Spliethoff
Tutor: Annika Göttle

Explore the full documentation and all project outcomes here: https://tinyurl.com/bddfv8cz

Interested in joining the next challenge? There are just a few days left to apply for our Autumn Workshop 2026! Further information here: ttps://tinyurl.com/2tnst6dt

Only one week left to apply for the next aac workshop! Don't miss out!

Join us in Athens and Hamburg to work on the future of Athens Central Station, with activities ranging from on-site exploration to intensive studio work.

Real site.
Real design challenge.
International group.

1–25 September 2026.

Scholarships covering travel, accommodation and course fees are available.

Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/3jyvtf4v

This image shows a charrette from Zhu Mengyuan, a participant in the 2016 Altona Nord workshop, and gives you an insight into the design process in which you would be involved.

The Power of Collaboration

Collaboration is key to progress in design. Since the beginning, the aac workshops have thrived on interdisciplinary and international exchange.

The aac Autumn Workshop 2024 'Art Architecture Nature' brought together participants from different countries and disciplines. This sparked ideas that turned into bold, context-sensitive proposals for the WAI Woods Art Institute in Wentorf, just outside Hamburg.

Group 03 responded with a system of striking landmarks. Placed precisely, these landmarks make key areas of the park visible from afar and improve orientation within the landscape.

Members: Fabian Frosch, Mouawya Al Abdullah, Eunate Etxebarria Abad, Anastásia Burneuskaya
Tutor: Prof. Philipp Kamps

Explore the full documentation and all project outcomes here: https://tinyurl.com/bddfv8cz

Interested in joining the next challenge? Apply now for the aac Autumn Workshop 2026: https://tinyurl.com/3jyvtf4v

✨ Spoiler Alert: Topic of the upcoming Autumn Workshop 2026 ✨

The site:
An ancient city, named after a goddess, the cradle of democracy

The task:
How to connect this city's motion - working at the intersection of national mobility and urban space.

Can you guess where (and what) we’re talking about?

You can still apply until June 10, 2026.

Further information here: https://tinyurl.com/z272s6d6

Curious to know more? Stay tuned – more details coming soon.

Image: Annika Göttle

Let the design speak for itself!

At the aac Autumn Workshop 2024: Art, Architecture, Nature, participants explored how subtle design can guide visitors without overwhelming the natural environment. Our real-world case study took place at the WAI Woods Art Institute in Wentorf, just outside Hamburg.

Rather than relying on fences or signage, the workshop examined how gentle interventions, such as landmarks, lightweight structures and natural elements, can orientate visitors while blending seamlessly into the landscape.

Group 02’s contribution beautifully illustrates this approach. Their concept involves delicate, lightweight structures that guide visitors through the park in an intuitive way, enhancing the experience without disturbing the site.

Members: Giang Bui Thi, Martin Brem, Leonardo Silvera, Reece Oliver
Tutor: Sona Kazemi

Download the full documentation with all project outcomes here: https://tinyurl.com/bddfv8cz

Ready to tackle the next challenge with us? Apply now for the next aac Autumn Workshop 2026: https://tinyurl.com/2tnst6dt