The Brückengrün project was born out of a desire to create an equivalent of universities for professionals—a place where young entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals in the creative field can share resources and build communities around a common space. With this vision, we founded the Brückengrün warehouse.
This warehouse is one of the last remaining buildings in the Südt Industrial Zone, located in the southern part of Cologne’s city center, an area gradually transforming into a residential neighborhood. Within the framework of an interim use contract, I initiated the Brückengrün project to convert this unused industrial space into a creative hub, providing an affordable space in the city center for creative professionals. After some renovation work, the 600-square-meter warehouse now houses 17 people who use it as a workspace and for professional projects. Among the members are three photographers, two costume designers, a dry and green toilet project called HolyShit, a bicycle cooperative that promotes cycling in the city and offers bicycle courses, and a furniture restorer.
The warehouse also features a vegetable garden and a sauna
Velonia, a cycling association based in the Brückengrüne warehouse, is hosting a bicycle repair workshop in the warehouse courtyard. Dedicated to improving Cologne’s cycling infrastructure, Velonia regularly organizes events like this to support the local cycling community. This workshop offers hands-on bike maintenance and repair skills for cyclists of all levels, making it a great opportunity to learn and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Designer Anastasia Bondar is unveiling the first prototype of her dry toilet—a groundbreaking design that separates solid from liquid human waste for more effective recycling. Anastasia built the initial prototypes in the warehouse, where they are now being used in public spaces as part of a pilot project called holyshit.
Picture courtesy of WDR. 28/11/2023
