Under a marquee open on all sides, freely modelled urban landscapes with accessible cavities and sculptures up to four metres in height take shape under the hands of architects of all sizes according to designs of their own. Children and young people work hand-in-hand with parents and neighbours, locals and strangers, the mentally and physically handicapped, artists, educationalists and construction experts.
Two weeks' work and one big party later, an exhibition week is held in which the buildings and artistic structures are available for extensive climbing and play activities.
The architecture projects, which are open to all visitors free of charge, provide low-threshold access to building processes which are sensual, foster health and social integration, and in which the construction material "clay" is above all able to act as a fascinating "social and cultural bonder". The idea has been developed over many years of work, for the most part voluntary, by Bunte Kuh e.V., and remains in many ways pioneering in its nature.
The aim of our work is to promote the creative freedom of the individual, to raise consciousness among children and young people of environmentally and socially responsible construction, and through the joint realization of architectural ideas, to encourage them to share in the responsibility for shaping their environment.
In the process, a play culture arises which regards art and play not as ends to themselves, but as a means by which creative and social experience reveal to individuals how they can drive processes themselves and influence a reality which all to often is imposed from outside; a play culture is generated as a means of forming identity and community spirit.
Besides fostering social competencies, the architecture projects promote physical and mental health.
During the building activity, in the course of which at least 30 tons of clay are kneaded, tamped, trowelled and decorated, those involved find spontaneous pleasure in the work and in physical movement.
The development of the children's psychomotor skills is observed time and time again with amazement and pleasure by childcare professionals: even "hypermotoric" children show perseverance and concentration in their activity.
The building process has the effect of strengthening identity and reducing violence. It is a "production facility for pride".
The projects reach several thousand visitors. We budget for around 10 Euro per visit and child.
Bunte Kuh e.V. works with kindergartens, schools and institutions of higher education.