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Saxony State Exhibition 2020

Temporary Architecture in the Loop: A Re-use Concept for the Exhibition in the Zwickau Audi Hall

For the central exhibition of the 4th Saxon State Exhibition on Industrial Culture 2020, a temporary entrance building was realized on the site of the historic Audi Hall in Zwickau. The design by AFF Architekten consistently applies circular economy principles: components were rented, reused, or fabricated from existing materials. The project serves as experimental architecture that highlights industrial reuse not only as a functional necessity but as a visible design element.

Exhibition period

2020 - 2021

Organizer

Free State of Saxony / Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden

Architectur & concept
AFF Architekten GmbH
System partner for circularity

B plus L Infra Log (containers), Layher (scaffolding systems)

© ZAB
© ZAB
Dismantlability
Dismantlability
Flexibility of use
Flexibility of use
Re-Use
Re-Use

Technical Implementation and Material Strategy

The temporary entrance building was largely constructed from reusable standard components. A central element consists of 38 shipping containers utilized within a rental cycle, allowing for their subsequent reuse after the exhibition concludes. Similarly, the roof structure, composed of scaffolding trusses, originates from a scaffolding rental system and is fully demountable and reusable.

Many interior features were fabricated from industrial storage and surplus materials. For instance, lockers were created from 272 storage bins, while the ticket counter was built using 180 crates. Lighting in the entrance area utilizes repurposed industrial lamps dating back to 1978. Seating furniture was manufactured from 84 used car tires, directly converting waste material into new functional applications.

Additional elements rely on simple, demountable constructions. The ramp system and railings were made from rough-sawn, untreated wood—a renewable resource used without any additional coatings. Building services were intentionally installed exposed, eliminating the need for cladding and facilitating future deconstruction.

In addition to the temporary installations, the historic structure of the Audi Hall was integrated into the concept. The former assembly hall from 1938–39 was exposed and renovated using a minimally invasive approach, allowing existing surfaces to be preserved. In doing so, the project connects to the original building’s focus on material-efficient construction.

The project serves as a prime example of how temporary architecture can be realized with minimal resource expenditure. Through rental systems, the reuse of industrial products, and simple demountable constructions, the majority of materials were returned to the usage cycle after the exhibition. At the same time, the themes of industrial production, the interchangeability of products, and recycling processes themselves become integral parts of the architectural design.

© Text: ZAB | Source: AFF Architekten / Sächsische Landesausstellung 2020