Project-Escape Cubes - BSR and Mediadesign University launch joint project
07.05.2024 | Prof. Carola Anna Elias
The interdisciplinary collaboration between Game Designers and Media Designers from the Mediadesign Hochschule Berlin and Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe (BSR) began in April as part of a project in the field of applied research and corporate communication.
The background to the project brief is the experimental use of pioneering technologies that reinterpret BSR's environmental education topics for young target groups. Gaming concepts are used as well as state-of-the-art exhibition approaches and spatial design aspects. The ‘Escape Cubes’ project thus combines new work approaches (new design for office and collaboration spaces that combine analogue, hybrid and digital work) with content-driven, experimental concepts for the interactive implementation of sustainable topics. In addition to these aspects, the BSR look & feel, snappy slogans, typically Berlin! will also be utilised.
Promoting interdisciplinarity
Students at the Mediadesign Hochschule have been commissioned to generate concept ideas for the use of 4x4x4 cubes that can be permanently installed in the indoor and outdoor areas of the BSR representative office as a permanent exhibition. The cubes are to be equipped as escape rooms by the game designers with digital game applications that relate to topics of BSR's work, such as recycling important raw materials and components, sustainable consumption, the bio-cycle and plastic in the environment. At the same time, the interior design of the cubes (materials, presentation in the room, information system, CD) is to be developed by the media designers as part of a modern exhibition concept. It is important that the values and themes of BSR are presented in a positive and forward-looking way. In this way, we specifically promote interdisciplinary project work on real topics as an important part of the degree programme.
The project sponsor BSR has designed the collaboration in the form of an open-ended joint research trip, with only the primary target group, catalogue of topics, use of future-proof technologies that ensure the immersive character of the immersion in the world of BSR and the dimensions of the cubes being specified.
The first kick-off event in April 2024, at which Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe, represented by Marie Kreipe and Franziska Voss, presented the company and the project, already showed that the 4th and 6th semester students were interested in and committed to the project. In addition to the lecturers Prof Sylvius Lack (Game Design) and Steffi Holz (Media Design), Prof Carola Anna Elias, Chief Relationship Officer at mdh, is responsible for the overall project management.
We look forward to working together and to innovative, creative ideas!
Berlin wants to become the zero-waste capital
With over 891 km², Berlin is the largest city in terms of area and, with a population of over 3.6 million, also the most populous.
As the largest municipal waste disposal company in Europe, Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe employs an annual average of around 6,100 people and is the largest municipal haulage company in Germany. It also has the largest municipal vehicle fleet with over 1,800 vehicles.
Snappy slogans, a pinch of humour and concentrated expertise in all aspects of urban cleanliness, waste and resource management as well as recycling management with the aim of climate-neutral Berlin and neighbourhood development are the hallmarks of the company, which, as a public law institution, is wholly owned by the state of Berlin.
Berlin is fully committed to the principle of zero waste, which means a gradual reduction in municipal waste, e.g. through smart recycling management, re-use strategies and recycling. Berlin is thus complying with the European Green Deal agreement to make Europe a climate-neutral continent by 2050.
We at Mediadesign University are proud to be able to support such a sustainable and forward-looking company!
