Portfolio (Selected Works 2022-2024) - Christian Mayer
CHRISTIAN MAYER - PORTFOLIO
Art & Architecture
selected works 2022-2024
Christian Mayer is a 26 years old spatial designer and visual artist from Germany. He graduated from the Master‘s program in spatial design at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen in 2024. His recent projects lie at the intersection of design and art and have a strong social focus.
christianmayer0711@gmail.com
EDUCATION
09/2022 - 07/2024
10/2018 - 06/2022
Royal Danish Academy of fine Arts, Copenhagen Studies: Spatial Design (M.A.)
Technical University Stuttgart Studies: Architecture & Urban Planning
Inter.public - KADK M.A. runway show (CPHW - SS24) set design assistant
01/2024 - ongoing tactual.rec visual identity and creative direction
12/2023
Serena Coelho x Superji Jordan - Capsule Collection
Photography
06/2023 K41 - “Impossible objects“ exhibition
exhibition of “more than decoration“
Christian Mayer - CV christianmayer0711@gmail.com
1. ARCHITECTURE AND AGENCY ( ARCH ) 05 - 12
2. OBJECTS OF MEDIATION ( ART ) 13 - 16
3. UP VOICES ( ARCH ) 17 - 24
4. MORE THEN DECORATION ( ART ) 25 - 29
4.1 A HOME
This portfolio displays academic and nonacademic works of mine that were created over the course of my two years long master studies in spatial design at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen. The selection showcases my interdisciplinary approach to the spatial practice, while giving additional insights in my engagement in the fields of photography and graphic design.
INTRODUCTION
The academic projects revolve around a working method I intended to develop throughout my master studies. I explore the application of the fine arts in the context of spatial design. The two artistic projects in the first and third semester explore and activate a site-specific context. The gathered knowledge made the foundation for the development of two firmely situated architectural structures
SEM.1
SITE: URBENPLANEN, DK ART
SEM.2 SITE: URBENPLANEN, DK ARCH
SEM.3 SITE: HEDEHUSENE, DK ART
SEM.4 SITE: HEDEHUSENE, DK ARCH
1. ARCHITECTURE AND AGENCY
4. Semester Ma. (thesis project)
spatial design
Prof. Peter Thule Kristensen
Royal danish academy of arts
Site: Hedehusene (DK)
Hedehusene is being extended with a newly constructed district called Naerheden to attract new, “affluent” residnets. It was built next to a socially vulnerable district named Charlotte Kvartier.
As part of Naerheden‘s masterplan a community center is planned to be built. It is supposed to be used by residents of the Charlotte Kvarteret and Naerheden alike.
This thesis project makes a design proposal for this facility. WIt builds upon the Charlotte community’s strong interest in urban gardening by proposing a greenhouse at the heart of the community center. The project taps into Naerhedens masterplan subversively and anchors the community center’s program directly in the needs and efforts of the Charlotte community. Doing so, the proposal gives agency to the Charlotte Kavrtier in the ongoing development process of Hedehusene.
The resulting structure seeks to protect Charlotte Kvartier’s integrity from profit driven gentrification, fosters civic engagement and opens a space that promotes the exchange between members of both of the two socially contrasting communities.
This project builds on the site specific knowledge gained during the creation of “objects of mediation“.
REDIRECTING THE SPIRAL OF PROFIT DRIVEN BUILDINGS AS POLITICAL AGENTS A TROJAN HORSE? PRESERVING THE CHARLOTTE KVARTERETS INTEGRITY
ARCHITECTURE AS A PREFORMATIVE, COMMUNITY REINFORCING PRACTICE
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The project is built the conceptual understanding of architecture as a materialization and reinforcement of sociopolitical power structures. It seeks to frame power through space If buildings hold political power, the opening of spaces dedicated to marginalized communities gives agency to people who are generally excluded from the civic and political discourse.
An insulated greenhouse/ community-space sits at the center of the structure. Its users are invited to gather around a shared practice. The space promotes social engagement without enforcing social interaction.
GREENHOUSE/ GATHERING INDOOR (INTERIOR VIEW)
The greenhouse enables the cultivation of vegetable of a longer timespan throughout the year. The direct connection to the communal area, which is equipped with a kitchen allows for the collective processing and consumption of the harvested vegetables. The space is supposed to foster the exchange of knowledge around the practice of gardening and can be used by local schools for educative purposes.
FORUM / GATHERING OUTDOOR (1:50)
WOODWORKSHOP (1:50)
CONSTRUCTION DETAIL (1:5)
The forum allows for local stakeholders to hold workshops and gatherings in accordance with the structures program. The wood-workshop provides the buildings users with the tools to modify the structure and therefore promotes its appropriation. It fosters a culture of urban co-creation.
STRUCTURAL EXTENSION I.
STRUCTURAL EXTENSION II.
The wooden structure is designed to be extendable. It is based on a simple constructive method that allows for the collective erection and extension of the structure.
All units of the structure are connected through a ramp, that creates a direct connection between the frequently visited local mosque and the community garden. This purposing as a infrastructural element creates frequent traffic along the ramp and promotes engagement with the structure.
FORUM (EXTRIOR VIEW)
2. OBJECTS OF MEDIATION
3. Semester Ma.
spatial design
Prof. Peter Thule Kristensen
Royal danish academy of arts
Site: Hedehusene (DK)
This project attempts to mediate between the contrasting social & cultural realities in Hedehusene’s Charlotte Kvarteret. An experimental performance art group moved into the socially vulnerable, and culturally diverse area. The world of the fine arts collides with the various realities on site. Through artistic interventions “Objects of Mediation” intents foster exchange between the parties, while raising questions about the exclusiveness of the cultural sector, the necessity for grass roots interventionism and the application of arts & design in social changemaking.
This project provided the site specific knowledge needed for the creation of “Architecture And Agency“
A FOCUS ON FIELDWORK
Throughout the process of this semester, I followed my increasing interest in fieldwork, which lead me to sincerely explore the diverse social and cultural context of the site I was working on. I had to build solid relationships with all stakeholders and collaborators, which took a major part of this project’s
View of Roskilde Vej Kvarteret I Byen - Office interior Farouk - interview youth center - prayer room eco-workshop I.
mosque interior I, mosque interior II.
There is a noticeable segregation between the local population and the Sisters Hope Home a. A lack of communication created a general suspicion within the surrounding population and the arts collective.
00:02:19 SPK_1 Yeah, they spawned!
Sisters Hope is an experimental performance art group, that moved into a building in the center of the Charlotte district, which is now called SIsters Hope Home. Their esoteric appearance, a lack of communication with the local community and a tendency of some of the Charlotte inhabitants to superstition, created a confliction between the artists and the locals, who largely think of Sisters Hope to be a group of occultists.
Sisters Hope - the practice
Sisters Hope Home - Exterior View
OBJECTS
The interviews (partly held with groups of people and partly with singular individuals) provided valuable insights into the reasons behind the the local‘s mistrust towards the performance group. The general inaccessibility of their artistic practice became evident once more through the conducted interviews. The interviews were transcribed word by word, and the resulting text was used as the foundation for the creation of two art-pieces that are primarily exploring the opinion on art by people who are generally foreign to the scene of the fine arts.
video stills from group interview
Hicham - interview
SITE
This time the focus of the research lays on the southern end of Urban Planen. The Solvang Center used to be an important meeting point for many UP inhabitants up to its demolition in the early 2000s. As we noticed a lack of indoor gathering spaces we came up with the proposal for a new community centered building located on the site of the old Solvang Center.
Solvang Center, before demolition Solvang Center, 2023
Solvang Center, SOUP project, 2008
Solvang Center, before demolition
chosen area Solvang Center, 2023
They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
the place as it was in the bethe observations, the people and of getting to know them, the of the eviction and the days when the building was already
As a response to the ever changing architectural and social landscape of Urban planen we settled on a modular wooden structure for our design. The structure can be installed deinstalled and extended according to the changing demands. We propose an errection of the structure in phases.
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
CONSTRUCTION MODELL (1:20)
At the heart of the structure sits an interior space intended to be used by the social workers and active community members for their practices. The interior can accommodate to various situations of interaction, ranging from counselling to lectures and workshops.
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
PLAN FIRST-LEVEL
CONSTRUCTION MODELL (1:20)
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
A wooden model in the scale of 1:20 was used to explore the configuration of the structural system we were proposing. It became an integral tool for the mediation of the project.
OUTDOOR STRUCTURAL MODULE
CONSTRUCTION AXO (EXPLODED)
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
The individual module of the structure can be creatively modified in various ways. We wanted to design a system that is elastic enough to be appropriated by its users.
4. MORE THAN DECORATION
1. Semester Ma.
spatial design
Prof. Peter Thule Kristensen
Royal danish academy of arts
Site: Urban Planen, Copenhagen (DK)
A banner designed to remind of the vibrant community of people who lived in Amagerbro’s Lykke tower before the building was forcefully evicted. The banner (2m x 12m) is made of old clothing, that the prior inhabitants contributed to the creation of this project. It was hung from the building facade facing the inner city.
This project provided the site specific knowledge needed for the creation of “UP-Voices“
FLAGS - CLAIMING SPACE
As a statement of communal identity and territorial appropriation, the flag became the chosen typology for the development of this project. It was intended to make use of the flag’s connotations of strength.
signs of life I.
signs of life II.
banner viz I. composition test - aquarell on paper
ASSEMBLY METHOD
The shape of the individual pieces of clothing was preserved, to create a visible contrast in between the human scale and the buildings size.
The pieces of clothing were connected using an industrial stapler. Heavy textile (jeans etc.) was used where the banner would be under the strongest pressure. The banner was hung from the building facade facing the inner city.
installation view I.
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
commons area - interior view Pel - resident
absence
post eviction - a statement of frustration
THE DESIGN OF THE BOOK
A sleeve covers the printed version of the book. It provides basic information about the content. The spine of the book is highlighted in bright yellow. The printed version serves as a sample, as there are efforts to find a publisher for this work.
the sleeve
non academic
06.2023
Curated by K41& Pamp3000
The project was selected to be exhibited as part of the “impossible objects“ exhibition hosted by K41 in the center of Copenhagen. The exhibition presented the opportunity to raise awareness for the increasing housing crisis that Copenhagen is facing.
The project was selected to be exhibited as part of the impossible objects exhibition hosted by K41 in the center of Copenhagen. The exhibition presented the opportunity to raise awareness for the increasing housing crisis Copenhagen faces over the last years, as the Lykke tower‘s eviction is only one representative of a large number of recent resettlements.
It was decided to hang the flag from the gallery’s outer façade. The central location allowed for great visibility of the project. The political criticism of the piece resonated in the gentrified surroundings of inner-city Copenhagen
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de. The central location allowed for a great visibility of the project. The political criticism inherent in the piece inner Copenhagen.
This project attempts to mediate between the contrasting social & culture realities in Hedehusene’s Charlotte Kvarteret. An experimental performance art group moved into the socially vulnerable, and culturally diverse area. The elitist
I pursue projects in various fields besides my studies. Photography serves as a key tool for me in the communication of my projects. Throughout the last two years I started to professionalize my ambition as a photographer resulting in a series of collaborations with befriended designers and established Studios in the field of spatial design and
Through artistic interventions “objects of mediation” intents foster exchange between the parties, while raising questions about the exclusiveness of the cultural sector, the necessity for grass roots interventionism and the application of arts & design in social changemaking.
As a statement of communal identity and territorial apthe chosen typology for the development of this project. It was intended to make use strength.
In 2023 I worked for Archival Studies as a freelance photographer, shooting the interior of their office located in Valby and a custom kitchen plus overall interior makeover for a client in Aarhus
archival studies - studio view
archival studies kitchen unit - installation view
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned.
The 90 pages are structured in 4 chapters. They depict the place as it was in the beginning of the observations, the people and the process of getting to know them, the actual days of the eviction and the days after that, when the building was already abandoned. 2023 allowed me to gain some experience in shooting in the context of fashion as part of collaborations with Artikel Københaven and the launch of Serena Coelhos and Superchijordans capsule collection.
photography
Serena - Superji x Serena capsule collection
BB-Designs - embroided belt
Serena Coelhos - Penumbra Artikel CPH. II.
5.2 GRAPHIC DESIGN
non academic
visual identity for tactual.rec
I blend analogue and digital techniques to provide the design with tangibility and to avoid the clinical appearance a fully digital working method can lead to.
6. PROJECT OVERVIEW - UNDERGRAD
academic “rocks“ finding
@TU_Stuttgart
professional townhall Arzfeld - design assistance & vis. communication (competition 1.prize)
@HIIIS architects
redevelopment of Stuttgarts
The intention was to set the form in a closer relationship to the built surrounding. The piece looks further into the architectural qualities of the process.
professional furniture design development for highsschool design & vis. communication
@HIIIS architects
academic design of drone port Stuttgart of 1:1000 to 1:5
