1st place
Transparent glass artwork in the stairwell THW Naumburg 400 x 200 x 6 cm (157,5 x 78,7 x 2,3 in)
Design “Art in Architecture” for the project New construction of a residential building and vehicle hall THW Naumburg
Invited, single-stage realization competition
Developer: Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben, Landesbetrieb Bau-und Liegenschaftsmanagment Sachsen-Anhalt
2027
Funding framework: €43,000
Partner: Glasstudio Peters, Paderborn
In the deployment of the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW), it is essential to maintain a comprehensive overview of the situation. The aim is to analyze what happened, sort the given circumstances, and clearly structure solutions. In doing so, the helpers build a network of competencies to keep the big picture in view—the proverbial high-level perspective.
THW often operates in the background as a quiet contributor. It lays the foundation for the work of other organizations and emergency forces. Its services are frequently invisible; without them, much would not function. Reserved and without a need for recognition, the helpers create a fast and efficient groundwork to secure the course of the operation.
“Unimog Blueprint” is a glass artwork in a staircase, approx. 4 m by 2 m in size. It shows, with fine lines, a technical drawing reminiscent of a landscape with canals and roads. With a subtle blue underlay, through deep sandblasting and pigments, the image of a Unimog—a key THW emergency vehicle—becomes visible. It represents technical competence, safety, and the reliable support that THW provides. The ultramarine used corresponds to that of THW on a basic level. The graphic seeks its presence in a delicate network on the wall, matching the restrained color choice among all the warning colors at an incident.
The glass artwork is seamlessly integrated into the room’s architecture. The clear lines and geometric shapes of the building are reflected in the drawing and the mounting’s construction. Thanks to the glass’s transparency, you can see the wall behind it. It creates a connection between art and space and feels modern and stylish at the same time. The approximately 3 cm distance between the glass and the wall makes the sandblasting shadows visible. They shimmer in a bluish tone, giving the overall piece spatial depth. In the right light, the room and the people inside are reflected on the glass, lending the artwork a living presence.
Overall, this glass artwork combines aesthetics with function and reflects THW’s values: competence and teamwork. It is a visible sign of the unobtrusive yet important technical expertise behind the scenes that makes success in missions possible and thus is indispensable.
The artwork consists of very durable 10 mm laminated safety glass, whose surface is refined through deep sandblasting and subsequently coated with a high-quality finish. The steel structure that holds the glass is visible and striking. It is comparable to the technical drawing on the glass in its analysis. Nothing remains hidden; everything is clearly identifiable and forms a secure base for the delicate glasswork.