After successful completion of the course, students are able to competently deal with questions of spatial design in the context of historical buildings, real-life caes  and contemporary functional adaptation.

The "graflich Kuefsteinsche Gruftkappelle" in Röhrenbach in Lower Austria (approx. 500 inhabitants) is part of the design program. The striking building with its frescoes by Paul Troger is to be made accessible to the public again. The design work will mainly deal with the two side wings as well as the rear courtyard. The adjacent forecourt is also available. In this way, a “course for visitors” can be created which, as it were, frames the chapel. The actual chapel room, however, will hardly allow changes. However, the adjacent areas and the embedding of the system in the larger whole must be included in the design considerations. Furthermore, at the beginning of the exercise, the not too distant (vacant) rectory is integrated into the design activities. As part of the design exercise, it is therefore important to combine usage concepts with architectural measures that contribute to meaningful development. The main goal is to develop a feasible overall concept as well as a specifically usable design solution.

The rather unusual course of work starting with the aspects of design work initiates a multitude of questions and queries. Thus the first stage is dedicated to finding an individual approach to a key topic. Thereafter those aspects in terms of utilization and functions are dealt with in particular which result from the specific way of approaching the project. On a total the experience with spatial design is increased and the use and correlations of colour, light and materials is practiced.

What is required is the development of a concept for the design assignment. Subsequently, the implementation of the draft on a scale of 1:100 (plan presentation, model building) is to be provided. In addition, characteristic areas are to be represented on a scale of 1:20.