Aufbruch statt Abbruch is an online platform dedicated to showcasing the potential of preserving and reusing buildings to address the ecological, social, and cultural challenges posed by unnecessary demolitions. With a focus on mid-20th-century structures, the website highlights a collection of buildings that have been repaired, renovated, converted, or extended within the last decade.
Demolishing buildings too quickly is often environmentally harmful and socially disruptive, particularly for residential properties where communities are displaced. Replacement buildings, frequently constructed under the guise of densification, often result in larger apartments without increasing housing capacity. Aufbruch statt Abbruch seeks to counter these trends by providing knowledge and inspiration for developers, planners, and building owners.
The platform aims to bridge the gap in understanding and showcase good examples of sustainable interventions. It demonstrates how even structurally fragile buildings from the post-war boom era can be transformed to meet modern performance standards or maintained effectively without significant alterations.
Through case studies and characteristic data, the website illustrates a broad range of intervention approaches, proving that old buildings can become ecologically, economically, and socially viable alternatives to demolition. Aufbruch statt Abbruch encourages sustainable construction practices by inspiring stakeholders to embrace the potential of existing structures, preserving architectural heritage, and minimizing environmental impact.
