Schwarz-Weiß-Gold
Schmallenberg, 2021

The nine ‘golden’ villages (Fleckenberg, Grafschaft, Holthausen, Kirchrarbach, Latrop, Niedersorpe, Oberhenneborn, Oberkirchen and Westfeld) around the mountain Wilzenberg are characterised by a homogeneous appearance. The model statutes for the city of Schmallenberg regulate the formal design of the buildings. Identifying features are the facades and roofing materials: timber frame, plaster and slate. Another design characteristic is the buildings’ black and white colour scheme. Photovoltaic or solar thermal systems, which are considered “eyesores”, are not permitted in the village centres. The gold awards were bestowed as part of the competition ‘Our village has a future’, which aims to strengthen rural regions and prevent migration to urban areas.

Commissioned by Westfälisches Literaturbüro in Unna. A detailed portfolio is available on request.