It is with deep regret that the Paderborn University, the Institute of Art, Music and Textiles, and in particular the Department of Art, bid farewell to Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Hubert Krawinkel, Professor Emeritus of Architecture and Environmental Design, who passed away on 20 June at the age of 91. With his passing, Paderborn University has lost a defining figure whose work was characterised by the close interconnection of architecture, art, design and landscape architecture.
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Hubert Krawinkel worked at Paderborn University from 1975 to 1997: Initially, until 1989, at the Höxter department of what was then Paderborn University, and subsequently, until his retirement in 1997, in the Department of Art at Paderborn University.
As an architect, Hubert Krawinkel was committed to the concerns of building culture with great prudence and a depth of knowledge and expertise. He always regarded architecture as a social responsibility. In this way, he also had a lasting influence on the architectural development of Paderborn University. His significant designs include, amongst others, the P and H buildings, the student accommodation on the Südring and the university’s nursery. In 1989, Prof. Krawinkel built the Jenny-Aloni-Haus in the immediate vicinity of the silo building housing the Art and Textile departments; this building accommodates the International Meeting Centre (IBZ) and a guest house. In doing so, he drew inspiration for the basic structure from ancient houses featuring a central courtyard. With these buildings, which serve different functions whilst being characterised by precision down to the last detail, he has left a lasting architectural legacy. These structures continue to shape the campus to this day and are also an expression of his understanding of architecture as a combination of functionality, aesthetics and quality of life.
Prof. Krawinkel was highly regarded as a junior professor and mentor. Colleagues and students alike valued his professional expertise, his creativity and his approachable manner. He knew how to motivate young people to develop their own creative perspectives and to understand architecture and art as socially relevant disciplines.
Promoting artistic freedom was a particular priority for him. He championed the ‘Molino Winkler’ artists’ and studio residence in Andalusia with great dedication. To this day, year after year, this place offers students the opportunity, far removed from the routines of university life, to develop their own artistic projects in peace and seclusion, whilst at the same time gaining fresh inspiration for their creative work. His legacy reminds us that creativity needs time, freedom and inspiring places.
With the passing of Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Hubert Krawinkel, Paderborn University has lost an outstanding architect, junior professor and patron of the arts. His legacy will live on both in the buildings he designed and in the memories of those who were shaped by his knowledge, his personality and his enthusiasm for architecture and design.
The teaching staff in the Department of Art will honour the memory of Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Hubert Krawinkel.
This text was translated automatically.
