Photo Exhibition 'Hässliche Entlein'. Sustainability as a Problem of Aesthetics.

The most sustainable approach to architecture is always its preservation. The demolition of a building is often not based on reasons of usability or technical obsolescence, but also on the appreciation of the aesthetics of a particular era. Especially the buildings of the 70s and 80s, the so-called "ugly ducklings", do not correspond to contemporary taste and therefore often fall victim to the wrecking ball. The aim of the project was to make the architectural qualities of such buildings visible again by means of photographic representation and in this way to create a new, positive image.

The exhibited photo series by students of the Faculty of Architecture show eight buildings from the 1970s and 1980s that were tracked down in Aachen's urban space. The choice fell on objects that either were or are under discussion to be demolished, whose demolition has already been decided or that do not appear worth preserving in the general perception. Among them are prominent 'non-places' such as the bus yard, but also barely noticed residential buildings, administrative and university buildings and even a church.

The event is open to the public and will take place on the 5th floor of the Pop-up Campus, Theaterstrasse 92-94.