Starting a revolution: Education with art and culture in the OllOhof (Neustadt) – sensor Magazine – Mainz

It’s a special project: The OllOhof is a former car rental company; After the Second World War, it was once the largest car agency in south-central Germany. However, the building at Boppstrasse 42 (Neustadt) has been empty since the 1950s. It was already clear to the owner back then that the house and the farm should be brought back to life. Six years ago, he approached the Schraut Rentschler architectural firm with the question: “What can we do here?” “It should be something with education and social issues,” says Jochen Schraut. The two architects Jochen Schraut and Axel Rentschler quickly developed the idea of ​​building a cultural center in Mainz. Discussions with artists and the Mainz University gave rise to the “OllOhof” project – Ollo, as they say, was the name of the former owner of the farm.

Combining education and art
“We wanted to preserve this special place and fill it with life again,” says Schraut. The originally planned development plan, which envisages residential use only and prohibits commercial use, was unimaginable for the architects and now also the owners of the OllOhof. A place of communication should be created in their spirit. The idea is to weave art and culture together and give everyone the opportunity to be inspired and settle down in the OllOhof. And some rooms are already rented. The event agency “Motion”, the design agency “Alma”, video production companies and the Mainz Art University have moved into their quarters. Flea markets and concerts also take place in the OllOhof. The event organization “SoulWine” wants to inspire with atmospheric music and wine tasting and complements the ongoing program. Leo and Niklas from “Loft Arts”, Johannes from Weingut Gröhl and Anna want to develop concerts for everyone, where everyday life can be forgotten and life can be celebrated with good music and wine. The feeling of a large family with common interests fits well into the concept. That’s why they were allowed to give their planned debut concert there. Planting in the inner courtyard, a green roof and a restaurant are planned for the OllOhof itself. An operator is currently being sought so that the inner courtyard can be opened to the public as soon as possible. “It is important to us to find and offer something that is constantly reinventing itself. The guests should be able to come across innovations and collect suggestions,” emphasizes architect Jochen Schraut. The architect duo from Mainz is full of ideas and would like to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to use the OllOhof and, as Schraut says, “to start a revolution”. So everyone is welcome at Boppstrasse 42. The old (brick) charm should be preserved.

Makerspace im Hinterhof
The project also includes the Open Workshop, which celebrated its opening on October 27th and democratically represents a space for use and implementation for all activities. Everyone can realize and implement projects, ideas and repairs here: “We belong to the Makerspace, but we call ourselves Open Workshop Mainz,” explains David, a board member of the association founded in March 2021. In total there are around 300 makerspaces in German-speaking countries. In these associations, people can realize their ideas and projects in shared workshops. “I thought the concept was cool,” remembers Matthias, one of five founding members. “Something like that was still missing in Mainz.” First came the founding of the club, then the expansion of social media and finally networking. The renovation of the old car garages in the OllOhof could finally begin at the end of March. The rooms have been equipped with tools for two months.

Solidarity and sustainable
It is important to the members of the association that the open workshop creates a space for encounters. By providing shared tools and spaces, all “artists” who want to be creative despite rising rents are welcome. There is no fixed membership fee: “So we really want to open the door to everyone who is a member of the club.” The idea of ​​solidarity is a special feature of the Mainz Makerspace. The burden on the members should be kept as low as possible. From digital manufacturing such as a 3D printer to wood manufacturing or sewing to electronics, everything is possible at the OllOhof. The one-off provision of tools and materials also makes sustainable use possible. Little is thrown away and the machines are used extensively. “For example, you no longer need a 3D printer at home,” smiles David, “we have it here.”

Learning from and with each other
It is a “learning by doing”. Artists who need a space to work meet interested people who can be inspired and new production processes and working methods explained to them. Many people are looking for a balance to their everyday lives in the smell of freshly sawn wood or want to do crafts away from their desk. Building your own tools should also be encouraged. “We have everything you need here, for example to make a kiln. If we have this, we can also easily imagine adding pottery to our program. However, the open workshop is still in its early stages. Anyone and everyone can become a member, is welcome with his/her ideas and thus contributes to expanding diversity. There are still only two rooms in the open workshop that share 3D printers, laser cutters, saws, sewing and electronics. “Of course we want to expand our concept and also make additional rooms available,” says Matthias. This will also include workshops. There are no limits to your creativity and craftsmanship in Mainz – you can meet tools, materials and nice people in the open workshop.

Text Maike Schuppe