Industrial Ruin Becomes an Art Factory: this is where artist Peter Sußner lives | ARD Room Tour

Video from ARD Room Tour

Industrial Ruin Becomes an Art Factory: this is where artist Peter Sußner lives | ARD Room Tour

"Peter Sußner lives and works in a former industrial ruin: the old boiler house of a former cloth factory. The artist and metal restorer has renovated the dilapidated industrial monument and created his living and working spaces there – his "art factory."

Peter had long been searching for such a property where he could work, live, and exhibit art. When he happened upon the ruins of the old boiler house while driving past, he couldn't resist the charm of the former industrial complex. This despite the fact that the brick building was completely dilapidated and had been used as an illegal dumping ground for years. The boiler house had stood empty for 17 years, the roof had collapsed, and garbage was littered everywhere in and around the building.

Two years after his discovery, Peter was able to purchase the boiler house for €30,000. After extensive renovation, the industrial monument now houses Peter's "art factory" – living, working, and exhibition spaces for his art.

The old cloth factory once belonged to the renowned Scheibler cloth-making dynasty, which had brought Monschau clothmaking to the forefront of the industry in the 18th century. The family resided in Monschau. They operated the cloth factory and its production facilities in Dreistegen, at the confluence of the Rur and Perlenbach rivers.

Today's art factory was formerly the boiler house of the industrial plant. It housed two enormous steam boilers that produced steam for the adjacent engine house. Operations continued until 1908, when production ceased, and the site gradually fell into disrepair, becoming an industrial ruin.

When artist Peter wanted to purchase the boiler house in 2000, there were no other interested parties. He thinks the city and the waterworks were happy to have found someone to take over the almost-dilapidated ruin. After all, the building wasn't residential, and the conversion was a huge challenge.

Peter could only invest €170,000 in the renovation. His architect had estimated a much higher cost, but as a freelance artist and metal restorer, he couldn't get a larger loan. Initially, with much support from artist friends and later increasingly on his own, he began clearing the ruins of rubbish, expanding the building, and renovating it. Steel girders had to be installed, and wiring, electrical systems, and pipes had to be installed. A mammoth task to which he has dedicated himself since 2002.

In consultation with the Heritage Office, Peter installed a new roof, ceilings, and walls, transforming the former industrial hall into an art gallery, studio, and workshop: the "Arte Scienza Art Factory." An industrial monument where the artist could realize his dream of living, working, and exhibiting under one roof.

Peter searched everywhere for innovative solutions and designed the rooms in an original way. He incorporated his experience as a metal artist, creating railings and cladding from scrap metal. Sustainability and recycling are important to Peter. He says he creates a large portion of his art from scrap metal.

He opens his art factory to visitors on Sunday afternoons and by appointment. Visitors can then stroll among sculptures and imaginative creations in the natural garden or view paintings and sculptures in the gallery. Summer festivals and workshops take place regularly, as do changing exhibitions featuring international artists.

A film by Sabine Keller (editor), Johannes Bock (camera), Onur Bilmen (sound), Marco Büttner (editing)." from the video introduction

00:00 Monschau Art Factory 00:52 Workshop 01:15 Living room and studio 03:13 Exhibition room 05:36 Kitchen-living room 06:16 Roof terrace 07:01 Kitchen 07:31 Stairwell 08:04 Bedroom 09:20 Bathroom 10:43 Sculpture Garden

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