rapid changes in cities are a complex matter,
architects have to take up a position:
events and temporary buildings in cities are attracting
more attention, the desire to combine office and family home,
the increasing demand of living close to the centre etc.

‘convertible city' documents how existing potential can be
sustainably exploited for new urban worlds of living and working.
it offers a broad spectrum of projects that meet the requirements
of a rapidly changing society and cultural landscape.
36 selected projects demonstrate the possibilities of architectural
addition onto existing buildings: superimposition, shifting and
penetration make it possible to extend existing building structures,
and combine and define them in new ways.

the german pavilion extends its space by means of an additional
staircase structure leading from the main hall to roof level.
this viewing platform - an added ’altana’ - is a typically venetian
architectural element.