The official ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of construction of the design studio for the vocational school and technical college for product design in Selb. After intensive planning, a new home for the training of creative minds who are in demand throughout Germany is being built. Renowned car manufacturers such as BMW and Audi have been recruiting staff for their development departments from Selb for many years.
The base plate with all the necessary drainage and foundation work will be completed before the winter. Production and assembly of the timber construction will begin in spring 2026 – as soon as the weather permits, the shell will be erected and the building will be visible for the first time.
Architecturally, the design makes reference to the industrial past of the site: striking shed roofs are reminiscent of old factory halls and at the same time ensure optimal lighting for the workshops, explains architect Frank Schütz. The adaptations of the original competition design to the financial framework conditions have resulted in a compact, modern and barrier-free building. In future, around 200 pupils will be able to learn and create here in light-flooded studios and workshops.
The design studio represents a major step forward for the town of Selb and the entire region, says Dr. Grit Mende, Director of the State Vocational School Center for Product Design and Testing Technology (BSZ) in Selb and Wunsiedel:
Even now, the most important goal for the vocational school and technical school for product design is to optimally prepare students for professional life. However, creative minds, outstanding teaching staff and cooperation with industry are not enough to achieve this goal. It also requires sufficient space with optimal equipment to meet the increasing demands of companies and to fully exploit the potential of young adults – this is what the new design studio offers. In close cooperation with Hof University of Applied Sciences, completely new opportunities are being created.”
Dr. Grit Mende,
Hof University of Applied Sciences is also looking forward with great anticipation to even more intensive cooperation with the vocational school center (BSZ) and the city of Selb in the future. As Vice President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dietmar Wolff emphasizes, it is particularly important to the university that students also feel comfortable and welcome at the external locations. He expressly acknowledges the city of Selb’s commitment to date and points out that a positive approach has contributed significantly to the success of the university concept at the branch in Kronach. The students of the “Design and Mobility” degree program based in Selb will use the modern workshops, while they will continue to be taught in the Morandini House of Rosenthal AG. The short distances and the general conditions in the new design studio create a creative environment that benefits everyone involved.
The total investment volume is around 27 million euros: 22.5 million euros for the building, half a million euros for the photovoltaics and four million euros for the outdoor facilities.
State Secretary for Finance and Home Affairs Martin Schöffel emphasizes:
‘With the ground-breaking ceremony for the new design studio in Selb, we are sending a clear signal for innovation and creative future design in the porcelain town. An inspiring space for modern product and industrial design as well as high-tech developments is being created here. The project represents a milestone for Upper Franconia as a location for education and business and is a central component of our high-tech agenda for the Free State of Bavaria.”
Martin Schöffel
He continued: “In the midst of decades of porcelain tradition, an innovative center is being created that promotes young talent and further strengthens the region as an important location for design, mobility and future technologies. Selb is a living example of how home, craftsmanship and high-tech go hand in hand. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone involved in making this fantastic project possible.”
District Administrator Peter Berek also emphasizes:
The design studio is a real prestige project for Selb – and a matter close to my heart. We are creating far more than just a normal educational landscape here – we are creating a center for creativity, innovation and the future. The fact that we are able to realize this project thanks to funding from the Free State’s high-tech agenda shows how important education in the field of design has become. Minister President Söder recognized this back in January 2020 – we all still remember his promise back then to support the construction with more than 15 million euros.”
Peter Berek, District Administrator
The design studio is a real milestone for Selb, according to Selb’s mayor Ulrich Pötzsch:
This building will be much more than a place of learning – it will be a center for innovation, creativity and the future of our city. The fact that we can celebrate the ground-breaking ceremony today is the result of many years of joint efforts by the Design College, the District Office and the town of Selb. Only through this close cooperation has it been possible to make the project a reality step by step,” concluded Lord Mayor Ulrich Pötzsch.”
Ulrich Pötzsch, Lord Mayor
