Public Transformers - Installation de confort extérieur, GeiWi-Platz, Innsbruck, Austria

In June 2025, the University of Innsbruck highlighted diversity as a central theme both internally and externally. The 'Woche der Vielfalt' (Week of Diversity) featured a vibrant and varied program at the Folk Art Museum."
The students from the "Energy Design" seminar at the university were actively participating by creating an outdoor lounge area at GeiWi-Platz.
Stefan Holst, Daniel Kiehlmann, and Markus Krauß from Transsolar, in collaboration with Volker Flamm — an architect friend from Innsbruck — taught a course focused on developing and analyzing sustainable, integrated, architecturally-based energy concepts for buildings as part of their guest professorship.
In recent semesters, urban climate and outdoor comfort have been key topics of the course, and this year, the focus was on installing an "Instant Cool Spot" at the GeiWi-Platz in Innsbruck.
The collaboration with a second course that provided street furniture and scaffolding made the square not only more climate-friendly but actually usable during hot days. This was achieved through shading installations made of wood, rattan, and fabric, complemented by some greenery and two DryMist fans.
The heat and discomfort on the concrete surface were quite noticeable during setup. The shaded corners provided welcoming spots to take a break, breathe and cool down briefly. The installation is worth seeing, especially considering the short preparation time and a minimal budget. The fabric panels were sewn from fabric samples from our stock, and the students sourced bamboo plants via online classifieds, dug them up themselves, and placed them in buckets around the installation. Wood was purchased, and the DryMist fans were lent by Transsolar.
The result: the elements are highly functional and significantly contribute to the atmosphere. The installation will remain in place throughout the summer.
In the coming semesters, a collaborative effort with students will focus on designing another square in Innsbruck in this manner, creating another attractive space that allows for comfortable outdoor stays during summer.