nonconform is, technically speaking, a firm of architects. But only technically. Following the motto ‘thinking ahead together’, noncon-form develops concepts for a durable, vibrant living environment together with users and key actors in the format ideenwerkstatt, or idea workshop. One core theme is the ‘Krapfen Effect’ – the traditional jam-filled Krapfen doughnut stands for the sweet filling of life at the heart of a town. It is the symbolic counterpart to the ‘donut effect’, which represents the hollow, ring-shaped towns with dying centres and thickening edges. Since 2014, the Styrian town of Trofaiach has been collaborating with nonconform to revitalise its centre. This transformation process requires a variety of small-scale measures, actors such as a ‘caretaker’, exchange with other communities, and staying power. Using this example, nonconform identifies the factors needed to bring life back to town centres as an individual filling.
nonconform ideenwerkstatt/Krapfeneffekt: Ortskernbelebung Trofaiach (Krapfen Effect: revitalisation of Trofaiach town centre),, from 2014
nonconform
Der Krapfeneffekt, 2021
nonconform
Partner: Stadtgemeinde Trofaiach
Funding body (Trofaiach project realisation): Land Steiermark
With thanks to König Maschinen GmbH for the video material.
