All posts in Introspection

21 Posts

New headquarters: Charlottenstrasse 2

We are back in Kreuzberg!

We moved again and this time for real.

Find us at Charlottenstraße 2 where, together with LABELS (Cee Cee Creative), we will create a space for creativity the way we love to do it: with plants and sketches.

We will share more updates of this amazing space where we would love for you to come and say hi!
#tspa #office #urbanplanning #berlin

Managing a planning firm as a Teal Organisation. This is what we learned

1. The Company is growing, great! Right. Right? Right??

Thomas Stellmach, urbanist and founder of TSPA, realised two years ago that his firm, and life, had to change. The situation didn’t look bad: International city planning projects were underway, academia and international organisations invited TSPA for conferences and lectures. Yet tension was high and constant, mistakes happened, plus the permanent anxiety that there is always more to be done.

Organisational aspects

Why was that? Too much was dependent on Thomas himself. Clients wanted to talk to him directly, decisions had to be taken. Various attempts to outsource or delegate had failed due to decreased quality in results. It was time to transition from an assisted one-person show to a larger structure. Was it time to build a pyramid-shaped org chart?

Mycelium Rhizome, 2009 Pencil on paper 120 x 240 cm. Collection of the artist Represented by Galerie Dusseldorf

Mycelium Rhizome, 2009 Pencil on paper 120 x 240 cm. Collection of the artist Represented by Galerie Dusseldorf

Trust

A future that may not come: lessons on green technologies that should save the world 

This is an overview of the presentation Filippo Imberti made for the Nobel Fest event last week. He participated in the open dialogue about the global practices, issues and changing trends is essential in achieving well-functioning and liveable environments.

This overview looks at the role of cities in carbon emissions, and potential solutions:

Strategy for public toilets: Data-driven planning for people centred smart cities.

A smart city is not only a city full of screens and self-driving cars. It is a city that employs data to better allocate resources, cover needs, and make places more accessible for everyone. Public toilets are the best example of how using data helps to design people-centered smart cities.

The European Commission defines a smart city as a place where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and business. In the same notion, TSPA has developed two city-wide concepts for Berlin and Düsseldorf that provide a demand-oriented supply of public toilets. To do so, we identified priority locations based on geodata and a distance ratio allocating the city resources in the best possible way.

The approach is integrative for the objectives of the idea, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. We accompanied city policies with the involvement of interest groups and parts of the city’s administration. To provide a detailed strategy we used a wide range of data provided by public and private authorities, analysed basic human behaviour patterns, and compared with other cities to develop a sustainable concept. We considered data such as existing facilities within a certain range, people densities, tourism patterns, and many others. Only the combination of these tools and variables can help to elaborate a holistic strategy. As a result, the number of publicly accessible toilets will be increased to 200 locations in Düsseldorf and 257 in Berlin.

Public Toilets might be overlooked as part of the backbone of a city’s infrastructure, but that doesn’t mean that it is of great importance for its inhabitants and visitors. Big data analysis and cross-sector comparison are tools that improve the provision of such a basic service.

The provision of public toilets is a realistic way of thinking about how cities can be smart because it contributes significantly to the quality and accessibility of a city’s public space. It influences how we move around in the city and whether restrictions arise for some groups of people. Making the cities more interactive and responsive, safer public spaces, and meeting the needs of an aging population.

We are aware that there are a lot of things to improve when it comes to public toilets. How to achieve gender equality in its provision? How to keep it functional and accessible for everyone? How can these be safe without displacing vulnerable populations of public space?

We might not have all the answers, for one it is clear that intelligently chosen locations can at least help to tackle the issue of unequal spatial distribution or unmet capacity. The data-driven planning here steps as the main pillar.

Thomas Stellmach interviewed in Al Jazeera reportage “Berlin: unapologetically rebel”

More than 20 years after the reunification, what shapes Berlin today?

The news broadcaster Al Jazeera interviewed three Berliners, and one is our founder Thomas Stellmach, who experienced city changes in the post-wall ’90s and now understands current ongoing processes such as gentrification and recognises the importance of a vision for Berlin and Brandenburg’s future development.

We were delighted to be considered as a valuable source to understand and reflect on the city.

Three work places available at Aquabutze coworking space

We’re renting out three table spaces in our beautiful shared office at Moritzplatz at Aquacarree above Ritter Butzke.

They are available immediately but also a later date is possible.

Price per desk per month 248,- EURO (USt/VAT included)

Wide tables and enough space to respect social distancing

What you get:

Open Doors Event – Day of Architecture 2020

This 27th of June TSPA will participate in the Day of Architecture with an open office! Come and join us to hear more about or projects and exchange points of view. We will present our work and hold a session of Q&A followed by a convivial with drinks.

The event orgnaised by the Architecture Chamber will follow the existing hygiene regulations which include the registration of visitors.
For more information on how to register and review the map with all the participating projects, objects, open spaces in Berlin click here: https://www.ak-berlin.de/baukultur/tag-der-architektur/tag-der-architektur-2020.html

 

Work platforms: Open source remote communication and basic office organisation strategies

This is the fourth publication of the series “From work desks to work platforms” in which we share the strategies and tools that have helped us doing remote-work even before the Coronavirus Pandemic. Here we present two out of nine tools,Remote communication and basic office arrangement.

5. Keeping the Communication Going

Video and Audio Conferencing, Screen Sharing, Chat and direct Exchange: Riot & Jitsi

Work platforms: Remote Presentations, Data Collection and Analysis

This is the third publication of the series “From work desks to work platforms” in which we share the strategies and tools that have helped us doing remote-work even before the Coronavirus Pandemic. Here we present two out of nine tools, remote presentations, data collection and data analysis.

3. Showing Off: Presentations

Presentations on Site and Remotely: Slides / Powerpoint / Keynote

 What we needed

As opposed to the previous chapter, that dealt with internal presentation, here we talk about external presentations — be it to a client or a lecture at a conference. We searched for a tool that lets develop presentations quickly, intuitively and work simultaneously with external collaborators. Another essential demands are easily grant access editing rights and offline working mode.

What we picked, and why

From Work Desks to Work Platforms

This is the first publication of a series in which we will share the strategies and tools that have worked for us in our experience with remote working. The next publications will which tools we use and how we use them.


How to work remotely without dropping the pencil.

Authors: Aleksandra Katasonova, Filippo Imberti, Thomas Stellmach

Graphics: Amr Elsayed

This document describes the remote work tool kit we use at TSPA. It is specifically the tools that work best for us (you’ll find some links to broader collections of solutions at the end of the text).

An experimental period: The Dusseldorf project as a case study

The Coronavirus pandemic is omnipresent in our society, where ‘social distancing’ neglects our everyday’s life and our common behaviour patterns. Schools and shops are closing, we all work from home and visit neither family nor friends. This is a challenge, as social interaction and discussion is key for the urban planning domain since local knowledge and participation have a huge impact on the process and the outcomes of a project. 

Together with Zebralog, we were facing this issue and asked ourselves the following questions:

  • How could we enable stakeholders to give us feedback and input in our current projects without a ‘face to face’ interaction? 
  • Which are the outcomes of a remote format? 
  • Can these formats act as a role model with the goal to implement them in future projects?

TSPA Newsletter: 20 out of 20

Greetings from TSPA!

We are very happy to start the end of the decade busy with very exciting projects and a growing team. We started this year feeling  20/20.

Whether in Germany or overseas TSPA explored all of its capacities building climate resiliency, thinking of sustainable solutions, designing the neighbourhoods of the future and planning for all. We are looking forward to continue doing so in 2020.

TSPA to host chancellor fellowship

TSPA today welcomed Alexandra Katasanova in Bonn at the reception of 2019’s grant winners of the German Chancellor Fellowship for tomorrow’s leaders.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation annually awards ten candidates each from Brazil, China, India, Russia, and the USA to spend an research a year in Germany. TSPA will be one of the host organisation in 2019, and we look forward to work with Alexandra on building a platform for enabling cooperation in urban development in the coming year!

Thomas Stellmach gave a lecture in BTU Cottbus on making cities

Thomas was invited to give a lecture in BTU Cottbus, where he shared his insights about establishing a successful urban planning office. The discussion with students focused on key questions in the beginning of one’s professional life, while Thomas also showed key projects and discussed the processes behind their development.

To read more about the lecture, visit the link below:
https://www.b-tu.de/fg-baukonstruktion/derdiedas/archiv

Open Door – Day of Architecture 2018

Visit us at ‘Tag der Architektur’ on June 23. Open door, interesting projects, lively discussions… and Vermouth drinks until we are out (the drinks). Also with mekado and cba, JCA and other partners.

Traditionell steht das letzte Wochenende im Juni ganz im Zeichen der qualitätvollen Baukultur. Am 23. und 24. Juni findet zum 23. Mal der Tag der Architektur, diesmal unter dem Motto „Architektur bleibt!“, statt. Das Programm dieses publikumswirksamen Ereignisses gestalten interessierte Kammermitglieder aller Bundesländer – mit Führungen durch zeitgenössische private sowie öffentliche Bauten, Freianlagen, Innenräume und/oder einem offenen Büro mit Standort in Berlin. Das diesjährige Angebot ist größer denn je. Allein rund 70 Projekte mit Führungen stehen auf dem Programm. In Berlin machen, passend zum Motto, nicht nur viele Denkmalumbauten anschaulich, wie sensibles Bauen im Bestand aussieht. Wer will, kann sich direkt mit denen austauschen, die all das geschaffen haben: Die Führungen übernehmen die Architektinnen und Architekten selbst. In den offenen Büros laden sie zu Vorträgen, Ausstellungen, Festen und Gesprächen ein. Das gesamte Programm sowie die App zum Tag der Architektur erscheinen im Mai 2018.

2018 findet zeitgleich auch das Architekturfestival MakeCity statt, das zusammen mit dem Tag der Architektur viele Aspekte des Bauens und der Stadtentwicklung thematisiert. Im Vorfeld findet am 16./17. Juni der Galerierundgang „Architecture Exhibitions Weekend“ statt.

Five work places available now at Aquabutze coworking space

We are renting one to five desks. Ideal for a small team!

€€€
206 € (177.50 € net, USt/VAT excluded). Per desk, per month.

!!!
What you get:

TSPA co-founds housing cooperative urbancoopberlin. Winning competition for the Schöneberger Linse in Berlin

Affordable housing, sustainable financing models, land leasehold models, intergenerational living, green architecture: these topics have in common that we promote them as planners and architects. They also have in common that they are more easily said than done. To see what can actually be done, TSPA founded the housing cooperative urbancoopberlin, together with  SammlerUsingerLIST GmbH, Hervé De Giovannini, SUSTAINABLE SERVICES. As our first test case, we participated in the competition of the city of Berlin for the ‘Schöneberger Linse’ organised by Senate of Berlin. The competition asked a sustainability and renting concept besides the architectural proposal. The urbancoop proposal won the first prize, being awarded the plot and development opportunity. Have a look at the project here and learn more about the residents’ engagement process in this video.

With an Oculus Rift above the Techno Club

“With the Oculus Rift above the Techno Club” is Jasper Massink’s article about his professional and personal experiences during his internship at TSPA and in Berlin in general. Currently on the title page of archined [Dutch]. Read the full story here: Met de Oculus Rift boven de Technoclub: persoonlijke en professionele ervaringen in Berlijn.

Hey Jasper – we’re glad you survived that night!

Four work spaces at our office available

We’re renting out four table spaces in our beautiful shared office at moritzplatz at Aquacarree above Ritter Butzke.

One of them is available immediately , the others from July 2015.

Monthly rent is 168 EURO excluding VAT. Internet, table, chair, shelf space and cleaning is included, there is storage space and a nice little kitchen.

Address:

Aqua Carree/Room 306/Entrance B

Lobeckstrasse 30-35, 10997 Berlin

Tel: 030 325 19 265

Mail: office@morgen.com.de

Good bye Uberbau, hello TSPA

the scoop
Thomas Stellmach Planning and Architecture emerged from Uberbau (RIP and Thank You!) in late 2014. TSPA continues the work in different global contexts and scales, with projects ranging from regional development to neighbourhood transformation across Europe, Asia and Africa.

thus far
The first few months of 2015 have been rich. We are currently masterplanning a 73 ha city extension in Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia while the UN-Habitat consultancy continues with missions to Ethiopia and the Philippines. We also delivered a concept to transform a ‘60s megastructure in Seoul in cooperation with Crosby architects. Meanwhile, the work of TSPA was presented at Syracuse (London) and Urbanfest (Izhevsk).

who (k)new?
As the projects expand, so does the team. We welcome Alexandra and Karina (RU), Cason (US), Ben (DE), Jasper (NL), Javier (ES), as well as Luca and Raffaele (IT)!

Feel invited to find out more on this new website and to download our portfolio in the office section. Also, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus in the sidebar. And most modern, call us +49 (30) 5770 6349 2.

So long, all best from Berlin.