As expert in adaptive reuse, Mei conducted a one-week masterclass in order to educate young Russian architects and urban designers in the concept of reusing historical industrial building sites. In collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Agency and Novascape, Mei guided the participants in their projects on historical buildings in Kazan: Bani Pletneva and the former Krestovnikov factory.
The students were divided in three groups. Each group worked on a different scale level – city, close proximity, and buildings – on the assignment, exploring possibilities and developing design concepts.
The masterclass is part of the exhibition ‘Reuse, Redevelop and Design. Dutch experience with cultural heritage’. From October 7th till November 22nd this exhibition is displayed in the Smena cultural center in Kazan, Russia. It is based on the book ‘Reuse, Redevelop and Design. How the Dutch Deal with Heritage’ by Paul Meurs and Marinke Steenhuis. The aim of the exposition is to stimulate the discussion about the reuse of industrial heritage in Russia, by showing successful Dutch examples.
You can find more information at hollandheritage.ru