When can the exhibition be visited?

The exhibition will be accessible on November 5, 2026, starting at 9 AM in the foyer of the ASL new building at the University of Kassel.

What does the exhibition showcase?

The exhibition features the competition entries of the NHW Award 2026 with 20 student works focusing on the future of the Wesertor district.

How much is the admission fee?

Admission to the exhibition is free.

Where does the exhibition take place?

The exhibition takes place at the ASL new building of the University of Kassel, Universitätsplatz 9, 34127 Kassel.

Is the event location wheelchair accessible?

The ASL new building has barrier-free access, an elevator, tactile orientation elements, and accessible restrooms.

How can the exhibition be reached by public transport?

The campus is accessible via the Holländischer Platz and Halitplatz stops.

Live different! at Wesertor: City Visions Redefining Kassel's Future

Name: Live different! at Wesertor – Rethinking Community.
Start: 2026-11-05T09:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-05T20:00:00+01:00
Location: ASL-Neubau, Universität Kassel

Live different! at Wesertor: Future Ideas for a New City Quarter

How can a heavily sealed area dominated by commercial buildings and large parking facilities transform into a vibrant, green, and socially connected quarter? The exhibition Live different! at Wesertor – Rethinking Community presents the competition entries of the NHW Award 2026 in the foyer of the ASL new building at the University of Kassel.

Urban Development as a Societal Task

At the center is the Kassel district of Wesertor, located between Franzgraben and Fuldaaue. Students of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning examine an urban space that, despite its proximity to the city center and the university, is characterized by large-scale commercial buildings, oversized parking facilities, and a high sealing rate.

The exhibition makes visible how closely urban planning, landscape planning, infrastructure, and building construction are interconnected. Groundbreaking models for a dense, community-oriented coexistence and a city of short distances were sought.

Designs for the 5-Minute City

The submitted works conceptualize Wesertor as a so-called 5-minute city: housing, education, work, supply, culture, and leisure should be closely interconnected. The student concepts combine spatial quality with climate adaptation, open space development, and social infrastructure.

Among the awarded designs is From Water to Courtyard by Sophie Schadow, Sophia Dreysse, Thorben Gille, and Jakob Paulsen. The concept employs a flexible basic grid, an urban promenade, green alleys, and sheltered courtyards. A sports band at the boundary to the sewage treatment plant serves the function of a buffer zone.

Architecture, Landscape, and Social Closeness

The exhibition showcases 20 competition entries developed by a total of 122 students. Their models and plans open a spectrum of perspectives between architectural drawing, urban analytical thinking, and landscape planning vision. Lines, areas, spatial edges, and open spaces become tools for shaping a cultural and social future.

The exhibition atmosphere in the foyer of the ASL new building invites comparisons of different scales: from the individual building to the green courtyard to the networking of the entire district. Thus, the aesthetic experience is immediately connected to questions of climate improvement, resilience, public good, and quality of life.

Insights into the NHW Award 2026

The NHW Award is awarded by the Department 06 Architecture – Urban Planning – Landscape Planning at the University of Kassel in collaboration with the Nassauische Heimstätte | Wohnstadt corporate group and is coordinated by the Department of Design and Sustainable Construction. The competition promotes experimental and forward-thinking concepts for housing and urban development.

Thus, the exhibition not only conveys results of a student competition but also provides insights into current methods of curation, urban research, and cultural education. It shows how design work can initiate societal discussions and open new perspectives on urban space.

Conclusion: Urban Development as an Artistic Experience of Thinking

Visitors can expect an inspiring artistic experience at the intersection of architecture, landscape, and societal vision. The exhibition encourages a new perspective on the Wesertor district and invites reflection on the future of dense neighborhoods. Anyone interested in urban planning, sustainable building, urban transformation, and aesthetic spatial effects should definitely experience this exhibition live at the ASL new building.