Background
More than 1000 (!) people researched and worked at the Wuppertal Institute during the last 20 years before continuing their professional career in the most diverse national and international organisations and companies. Many of them still feel connected with the Institute in one way or another.
At the occasion of the Institute's 20th birthday, it is planned to reorganise the passageway between the old and the new building ("the bridge") in a joint project with the design school "ecosign", Cologne. This project shall be dedicated to the alumni as a symbol for the relationship between Institute and alumni.
The students' task was: The project "Transition"
The Institute's building in Wuppertal consists of two parts, a historical old 19th century building and a new building finished at the end of the 1990s. A passageway connects the two buildings on the second floor level. This highly frequented passage - used by the Institute's staff and visitors - is to be redesigned.
At the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy scientists research on analysing and developing transitions to sustainable societies. The emphasis is both on a sustainable use of energy and resources and a fair balance between developing and industrialised countries. The creative challenge consists in integrating the spatial transition into a design concept that transports the ideas of the Institute's work.
The students perfectly fulfilled their mission. In a competition a prize was awarded to four design concepts; the winner's concept is to be realised now.
The newly designed passageway will become an attractive and inspiring element of the Institute. The window areas will consist of translucent sliding units. A new ceiling with flash-mounted lights will be installed, the floor covering replaced. The overall effect of the room will be white and diffuse. Each of the two opposite doors will be framed by a geometrical symbol, one by a circle, the other one by a square. This design perfectly symbolises the idea of "transitions" and at the same time takes up the core elements of the WI-Logo.
This newly designed place shall be dedicated to the alumni. The alumni-day planned for the 1st October 2011 in the context of the 20th birthday celebration will give the possibility to visit the project on-site. The final realisation of the project is scheduled within the birthday year 2011.
Principal idea of the sponsoring concept
It would be a great signal both internally and externally if it were possible to finance the renovation of the passageway completely by the sponsoring of former employees and colleagues. The costs will total around 12,000 Euro. A table with the sponsors' names installed in this new space of transition would symbolise and visualise the role of the alumni as a part of the Institute history and at the same time their connection to the Institute. As a matter of course this would be prominently presented and communicated at the congress in the context of the 20th birthday.
The new employers of the alumni also have the possibility to show their relationship and solidarity with the Wuppertal Institute, which we would gladly express accordingly in the passageway area.
Amount and transfer of donation
There are two kinds of donation amounts fixed: 50.00 Euro per person for individual donations and 500.00 Euro for company or major donors. Higher donations would of course be more than welcome. We are very hopeful and confident that this concept will be successful.
There are two very simple ways to sponsor the transition project: Please send an e-mail indicating the donation amount, and the bank data (account number, bank code and bank address) at alumni@wupperinst.org, so that the association of the Friends of Wuppertal Institute can collect the amount. If donation receipts are wished please indicate your address. All bank data will of course be treated confidentially and deleted immediately after the donation transfer via direct credit.
Alternatively it is possible to transfer the donation directly to the Association of the Friends of Wuppertal Institute: Please transfer the amount to: Verein der Freunde des Wuppertal Instituts, account number 913251 at Sparkasse Wuppertal, bank code 33050000. Purpose: Transition-Passageway / address for donation receipt.
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