AFF preserves its childhood memories in concrete
It all began with an auction. Going once, going twice, going three times, and the old weather-beaten wooden hut was sold to Martin and Sven Fröhlich of Berlin-based AFF Architects. „The condition of the building certainly was not the reason to buy it“, says Sven Fröhlich. „lt was our childhood memories of the Erzgebirge, where we originate and it was this area where we both learned to ski.“ Built in 1971 as a refuge for mountain hikers. the hut stood right at a country road in the middle of the picturesque woods in the Erzgebirge between the villages of Rittersgrün and Oberwiesenthal, the latter of which is famous for being the origin of most of East Germany's successful ski jumpers.
The site was terrific, but the hut had not been used for over ten years and was close to decay. AFF decided to try something very unusual, using the old boards as sheathing for the newly built concrete structure, forming an almost exact replica of the old hut on the inside of the new walls - including the slightly spooky moulds of windows and doors, which are now used as shelves.
„l don't think it's spooky. lt is more a return to the pristine and to the elemental. Our concrete sculpture is meant to look like it's been wrested from the wilderness. Far from the blessings of civilization you will find neither running nor hot water, no phones, no internet, no washing machine or TV set. lf you are lucky you can watch some wild animals through the large windows while warming your feet at the steel oven. This is just a shelter.“ Great! Just like the good ol' times...
Florian Heilmeyer
