12.04.2022
#bayernkreativPORTRAIT: Ludger Elfgen tells us today what is currently happening at the Altes Gaswerk in Augsburg. What opportunities are available to cultural and creative professionals on site. And what is planned for the future.
The creative agency elfgenpick moved its office location to the Altes Gaswerk creative area on 01.02.2022. The 23 employees have rented an entire floor in the portal building. They use half of the space themselves. They rent out the other half to start-ups and freelancers. We spoke to Ludger Elfgen, Managing Director Creation at elfgenpick. He describes how this dissolves the boundaries within the agency. This encourages both social and professional exchange. Added to this is the physical proximity to other creative professionals on the Altes Gaswerk site, which should facilitate cooperation.
Exciting project. We wanted to know more.
Hi Ludger! Could you tell us something about the old gasworks?
After being decommissioned as part of Augsburg's energy supply in 2001, the 70,000 m² site has been revitalized by Stadtwerke Augsburg since 2016 and offers a growing number of cultural workers, creative businesses and visitors a unique space for experience and development.
What makes the Gaswerk Augsburg creative area special? What is special about it?
We want to make a difference in our society, to change something, and for this we need a strong network of experienced entrepreneurs and makers who can support us in our vision. Kultur- und Kreativpilot*innen seemed like the perfect match.
It took some time before the area was ready - what was the challenge of the whole thing?
Constant change is part of the development concept at Gaswerk. That's why we can't really talk about final completion. Rather, a process is underway in the course of which the spatial potential of the site is gradually being realized, put to use and, if necessary, successively developed further. In any case, the remediation of contaminated sites is a particular challenge. However, the special architecture of the existing buildings and the consideration of monument and landscape protection issues also ensure that a great deal of creativity is required on the part of the project managers.
There are certainly many cultural and creative professionals on the site. Who do you currently meet there?
The move of the Augsburg State Theatre and the tenants of the band rehearsal rooms and studios in 2019 laid the foundation for a diverse revival of the Gaswerk. Together with various temporary event organizers, these groups of actors ensure that the cultural pulse of the Gaswerk beats all year round. The number of commercial users has also been growing steadily for a good two years. Agencies, co-workers and start-ups are now bustling about in the management villa and the portal building, two renovated old buildings. In addition, a new building to be completed in 2022 will provide space for the creative industries as well as a further 50 rehearsal rooms.
What is the aim of the Gaswerk Augsburg creative and cultural area?
In the coming years, the site is to establish itself as a recreational area, place of work, cultural hotspot and also as a destination for excursions and develop into a lively, green and diverse creative location. Anyone and everyone can come by and spend a few pleasant, inspiring hours there.
What does the cultural and creative industries mean to you personally?
The fish probably doesn't wonder what it might be like outside the water. The water is its natural environment. For me as a creative, the move to the Alte Gaswerk is an arrival in "my element". I am grateful and proud to be able to make my contribution to the cultural and creative industries. The creative industry is the driving force behind many innovations. Creatives should be aware that they make products and services strong with their ideas and aesthetic productions. As creatives, we have a great influence on a better life for all people.
The Bavarian cultural and creative industries are vital, cooperative, polyphonic and relevant to the future. We introduce you to Bavarian players. What is their business model? What drives them?
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