Werkraum_Haus_von_Peter_Zumthor_in_Andelsbuch_1

The Werkraum Bregenzerwald (literally "Bregenz Forest workroom") is a cooperation and association of craftsmen and traders in the

Bregenz Forest The Bregenz Forest (german: Bregenzerwald, ) is one of the main regions in the state of Vorarlberg (Austria). It overlaps, but is not coterminous with, the Bregenz Forest Mountains, which belong to a range of the Northern Limestone Alps, specifica ...

(

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

) founded in 1999. When the association was founded, almost a third of its members were carpenters. By 2009, the Werkraum Bregenzerwald counted 90 craft, design and technology businesses as association members.

Philosophy and goals

It offers its members institutionalised support in the areas of member service, product and design innovation, education and training, and building culture. By supporting and establishing networks among craftsmen, the Werkraum Bregenzerwald contributes to the regional economic and cultural development. Today, the association is internationally recognised as a model for new crafts.

"Our initiative is not a retrospective utopia, not a response to a crisis. It is a program for the future to secure the young people in this valley the prospect of independent, competitive work and an authentic life." – Werkraum Bregenzerwald

Werkraumhaus

The ''Werkraumhaus'' opened in the center of

Andelsbuch Andelsbuch is a municipality in the district of Bregenz in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. Population Initiatives The Werkraum Bregenzerwald is an association of craftsmen in the Bregenz Forest founded in 1999. It aims at networking and ...

in 2013. The house was planned by the well-known

Swiss Swiss may refer to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland * Swiss people Places * Swiss, Missouri * Swiss, North Carolina *Swiss, West Virginia * Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses *Swiss-system tournament, in various games and sports *Swiss Internation ...

architect

Peter Zumthor Peter Zumthor (; born 26 April 1943) is a Swiss architect whose work is frequently described as uncompromising and minimalist. Though managing a relatively small firm, he is the winner of the 2009 Pritzker Prize and 2013 RIBA Royal Gold Medal. E ...

and built by the member companies of the Werkraum Bregenzerwald. Its design is based on two basic ideas: on the one hand, the hall-like building serves as a meeting place and on the other hand as a large showcase, as a shop window for the craft culture in the Bregenz Forest. The costs for the erection of the building amounted to 3.8 million euros. The Werkraumhaus hosts themed exhibitions, workshops, contests and lectures on craft and building culture as well as presentations of products from the workshops of the member companies. Moreover, it includes a shop and a café. File:Werkraum Haus von Peter Zumthor in Andelsbuch 3.jpg File:Werkraum Haus von Peter Zumthor in Andelsbuch 2.JPG File:Werkraum Haus von Peter Zumthor in Andelsbuch 4.jpg

Werkraum Lädolar

The teaching of handicrafts to children and young people is an essential part of the Werkraum program. The ''Werkraum Lädolar'' is a display and learning mobile for apprenticeships in the craft. The Lädolars have the size of a table. The development and manufacture of these mobile teaching containers is in the hands of apprentices, masters and designers. The Lädolar can be used anywhere where bundled and experienced knowledge of the craft professions is needed and can be borrowed on request. With the Werkraum Lädolar, the Werkraum Bregenzerwald received a nomination for the

Austrian State Prize The Austrian State Prize is an award given annually or biennially in various artistic fields for excellence by younger and middle-aged artists. The State Prize is currently (2012) worth €8,000. The categories are: : Fine arts (first award in 19 ...

for Design 2009.

Prizes and honors

The Werkraumhaus building by architect

received three architectural awards: * BTV Bauherrenpreis 2013 * ZV Bauherrenpreis 2014 * 7. Vorarlberger Hypo-Bauherrenpreis 2015 At the 2016

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

conference in

Addis Ababa Addis Ababa (; am, አዲስ አበባ, , new flower ; also known as , lit. "natural spring" in Oromo), is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. It is also served as major administrative center of the Oromia Region. In the 2007 census, t ...

(

Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...

), the Werkraum Bregenzerwald was included in the “International Register of Good Practical Examples for the Conservation of the intangible cultural heritage” (see International Register of Good Safeguarding Practice).

References

{{Coord missing, Austria Vorarlberg Museums in Vorarlberg Local museums in Austria Crafts Woodworking