LERCHENFENSTER Project

A project related to prototyping a future living, I co-developed with Jason Cruz (NYU) and Prof. Felix Beck (MSD). I was involved in researching, communication design and photography. The german term "Lerchenfenster" (🇺🇲 lark's bread) comes from agriculture and describes a space in the cultivation left for larks, so that they can land freely, look for food and breed. In short: a place for nature in a landscape transformed by man. We proposed a role reversal in a form of mini houses settlement (tiny houses without wheels), that is, a place for people among nature but also with full respect for it.

Lerchenfenster - the settlement of mini houses // Visualisation / rendering: Jason Cruz 
The project relates to the development of a plot of land on the innovation axis linking the Münster Technology Park with the developing Havixbeck Technology Park. In addition to the implementing of future living, our estate could complete an extension of the popular Lyrikweg (Lyrical Path) and be part of a nature route.

Innovation axis between Havixbeck and Münster with Lerchenfenster (brown), proposed extension of Lyrikweg (yellow) and a concept of Nature Route / Naturweg (green), which could include part of the innovation axis.

One of my tasks was taking photos needed for the presentation of the plot itself as well as the creation of renders and promotional materials later on.
Invisible in final results, but just as important, part of the work was research, sketches and documentation. We used Miro Board as a tool for communication and storing the content.

During the process of ideas for the name of the settlement / project, I used mindmap. The lark (Lerche) present in the name refers not only to the concept of lark's bread (Lerchenfester), but also to local nature and the poems of the region's well-known poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. 

When creating the Lerchenfester logo, I took the term "Fenster" (window) literally. The lark ("Lerche") looks through it into the future. The area on which it stands is the developed plot and the surface on the left is associated with architecture.

The typeface is Interstate, referring to American road signs. It is associated with roadtrips and the accompanying sense of freedom. At the same time, it refers to the country of origin of the Tiny Houses Movement (USA).

A modular housing concept was used to adapt the mini houses to the needs and number of residents. The prototype and inspiration was the traditional Münsterland Fachwerk, which Jason "cut in half" when developing the design approach.

A housing module - "Cut in half" Fachwerk // Jason Cruz

Two modules arranged together. // Jason Cruz

Interior of a furnished mini haus in Lerchenfenster // Jason Cruz

An inspiration for the use of curves in the shape of patches came from the Aa river facing the plot.  // Site visualisation: Jason Cruz // 3D model with drone photos: Prof. Felix Beck 

Virtual tour along the roads leading through Lerchenfenster  // Jason Cruz

For better readability, I prepared infographics reporting statistics on tiny houses. The original was created during the "Visuelles Erzählen"  (Visual Storytelling) class with David von Bassewitz at the Münster School of Design. The colors and typeface were adapted to the visual indentification of the project.  

What is important for respecting local nature is that the designed settlement should be as non-invasive and easy to remove as possible, so as to be able to hand over the plot for any use to future generations.

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