What happens when a key cultural venue disappears? Geovisualisation students at THWS have developed creative, data-driven concepts for an alternative to the Posthalle in Würzburg – and demonstrate how applied university teaching can enrich public debate.
Published on 22 July 2026
It would have marked a turning point for Würzburg’s cultural scene: the Posthalle’s lease was due to expire in spring 2026. What would have been a major problem for many musicians and cultural practitioners became the starting point for a special semester project at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS): In 2025, during their fourth semester, students of the Geovisualisation degree programme, led by lecturer Stefan Sauer, developed designs for alternative cultural venues in Würzburg. The motto: “The Posthalle is dead. Long live the Posthalle!” (German original motto: “Die Posthalle ist tot. Es lebe die Posthalle!”)
A real-world problem as teaching material
The semester project “Project-Based Geovisualisation 4” was initiated at the suggestion of the City of Würzburg, with which Stefan Sauer has been collaborating for several years as part of the module. “The Posthalle is an emotionally charged topic – both culturally and in terms of urban policy,” explains Stefan Sauer. The aim was not simply to design a replacement building and keep the Posthalle alive in concrete terms, but to develop new, site-specific concepts. “Geovisualisation always has something to do with spatial contexts,” says Sauer. Consequently, the focus was primarily on real-world site-specific factors, particularly at the outset: availability of public transport, the neighbourhood, noise sensitivity, and existing infrastructure. Field trips, including visits to the Posthalle itself and the Z-Bau in Nuremberg, complemented the analysis.
The students worked independently. Each person developed their own concept, from the location right through to the final visualisation on a presentation poster. The project began with a kick-off event, at which representatives from the city outlined their vision in broad terms, sparking the initial ideas. The initial visit to the Posthalle also provided a great deal of insight. Not only did the current operator, Jojo Schulz, give the students a tour, he also shared some behind-the-scenes insights: the students learnt from him about the current situation, the challenges involved and how the technology and stage set-up at the Posthalle work, whilst questions regarding funding were also answered. The Posthalle holds a special place in Würzburg: it is the city’s only venue that regularly hosts concerts and events for several hundred to around 3,000 visitors, covering a wide range of formats – from concerts of various genres, through trade fairs and flea markets, to student parties.
The launch of the project
The project began with an open exploration phase. “To start with, everyone was free to consider where such a cultural venue might actually be located,” says student Justus Lippert, describing the start. At the kick-off event, they first learnt which sites would be suitable and available – including Neuer Hafen, Glaskeil, and the former barracks in Lengfeld. The sites were then analysed in terms of spatial, urban planning and cultural criteria. Transport links, accessibility and integration into the surrounding area played a key role in this. Some options were quickly ruled out: locations with poor transport links, such as the former IMAX cinema in Dettelbach, proved unsuitable for a vibrant cultural concept.
A surprising trend emerged: many designs situated new cultural venues within the Neuer Hafen area, the area of the new harbour in Würzburg. “I was surprised, but also delighted, that so many students chose this space,” says Schulz. The proximity to the city centre, the rail connections, and the industrial heritage clearly offered great creative potential.
Modular in the Neuer Hafen
One such approach was developed by Justus Lippert. His ‘Kulturwerft’ concept envisages a modular complex in the Neuer Hafen. He sees the old coal storage hall as the year-round centrepiece, featuring a stage that can be used from both inside and outside. The complex is complemented by water stages for open-air concerts. Old railway tracks will be used to incorporate decommissioned carriages as studios, cafés or offices. “You automatically ask yourself: what would I want to experience here myself?” says Lippert.
To visualise his concept, Justus Lippert relied on a combination of real-world imagery and digital models. He used a drone to capture images of the site and integrated a 3D model of his design into them. This step proved to be technically demanding and represented one of the greatest challenges of the project. “It was precisely these difficulties that taught me a great deal,” said Lippert. The visualisation was complemented by a clearly structured layout featuring sketches, explanatory texts and a specially designed logo, which gives the concept a visual identity.
Looking back, Justus Lippert says what he has taken away from the project above all is the value of real-world reference points. “Working with specific locations and real-world dimensions helped us to better understand urban planning contexts – even those that remain invisible at first glance,” he says. Furthermore, the project demonstrated how important self-organisation is throughout the entire process. In retrospect, he would focus less on the finer details – an insight he sees as vital preparation for future projects.
Learning to think for oneself and to persuade others
The main aim of the semester project was to develop students’ own ideas and to make these visible and open to discussion through visualisation. The thematic framework was deliberately kept open to allow for individual focus areas. “You’re more passionate about your own idea than about predefined concepts,” emphasises lecturer Stefan Sauer. The project was intended not only to strengthen subject-specific skills, but also to provide inspiration and demonstrate that students can develop viable, contemporary approaches to current cultural issues.
Jojo Schulz was impressed by the results, particularly the harbour concepts. From an educational perspective, the project marks a turning point in the degree programme. “After three semesters of guidance, we deliberately throw the students in at the deep end,” explains Sauer. Independent thinking, structured working and the ability to present one’s own ideas convincingly were key learning objectives. Or, as Sauer puts it more pointedly: “You can have lots of ideas, but what matters is whether you can bring them to life and sell them.” This is precisely where the strength of geovisualisation lies: in presenting complex content in a way that is understandable, vivid and open to discussion.
Inspiration for the city
Even though there are no immediate plans for implementation, the project is intended to serve as a pool of ideas. Some approaches, such as mobile or temporary cultural formats, could be pursued in the future. The collaboration between THWS and the City of Würzburg is to continue. Only time will tell what will become of the good old Posthalle. For now, its continued existence is secured for a further five years.
Bachelor’s degree programme in Geovisualisation (B.Sc.)
Duration of study: 7 semesters
Place of study: Würzburg
Special features:
- Module on project-based geovisualisation at all stages of the programme
- Practical, application-oriented and interdisciplinary project work
Further information on the bachelor’s degree programme in Geovisualisation
