The market town of Tettau in the district of Kronach, Upper Franconia, is a place full of contradictions. It provides more jobs than it has residents, experiences both vacant buildings and a shortage of contemporary housing, possesses abundant timber resources while facing increasing reforestation without visible local use of this resource, offers underused public spaces alongside a perceived shortage of parking, and struggles to maintain important public facilities such as the swimming pool, community hall, and primary school in the face of population decline. Alongside large, modern glassworks, the town is also home to the historic Royal Privileged Porcelain Factory, which faces significant economic challenges due to the decline of department store retailing.

How, then, can people who work in Tettau also be encouraged to make Tettau their home?

To address this question, the studio investigated three key development potentials of the municipality.

POTENTIAL I: NEW VALUE CREATION explored Tettau’s spatial and thematic integration within the wider region, focusing on tourism, cultural landscapes, production, and advanced craft and artistic manufacturing.

POTENTIAL II: PUBLIC SPACES examined open spaces and public facilities that, through their location and function, could strengthen Tettau’s identity and contribute to its revitalisation.

POTENTIAL III: NEW HOUSING focused on developing new residential concepts for a wide range of user groups, including apprentices, senior citizens, families, singles, tourists, school groups, and workshop participants - people wishing to live in Tettau for a few days, weeks, months, or even years.