What is Karl-Robert Strecker actually doing?

In unserer neuen Rubrik „Was macht eigentlich…?“ erzählen Hochschulangehörige von und über ihre Arbeit.

Karl-Robert Strecker has been head of the model-making workshop at the University of the Arts Bremen (HfK) since 2002. Originally from Verden, he is a qualified joiner who moved to Wuppertal to study industrial design. Whilst studying there, Karl-Robert Strecker worked in a joinery workshop that, at the time, produced pieces for a well-known group of designers from Düsseldorf. After 10 years in Wuppertal, he was drawn back to the north. He brought with him his experience and his meticulous approach to woodworking and exhibition stand construction.

Precision is essential from the initial idea right through to implementation

Although model-making is now largely carried out digitally – with models being designed on a computer and then 3D-printed or CNC-milled – it is still necessary to carry out some of the work by hand. There are also plenty of projects that can only be produced manually. In Karl-Robert Strecker’s workshop, the focus is on bringing the students’ designs to life with precision. The students drop by the workshop with their project ideas. Design, feasibility and costs are discussed together. The materials are ordered and assistance is provided with bringing the projects to fruition. “The key is to know exactly what the final result should look like. Only then can every necessary step be planned in advance and carried out correctly in the end,” says Strecker, explaining his work.

One of the particular highlights of his time at the university was working with students whose task was to produce designs for sledges. With Strecker’s support and using a variety of materials – from aluminium to plastic and wood – a range of designs were created, all of which passed practical testing.

New furniture for the Mensa Academia

At the moment, the model-making workshop is not very busy. As well as the coronavirus-related restrictions, the semester break is, of course, a contributing factor. This spare capacity has given rise to another exciting project: Together with his student assistant Niko Hohlt, Karl-Robert Strecker is currently building the furniture for the ‘mensa academia’ on Dechanatstraße, which is set to reopen at the start of the 20/21 winter term following extensive refurbishment and with a new concept combining catering, events and a canteen, in collaboration with Jan-Philip Iwersen, operator of Küche 13. Tables and benches approximately 30 metres long are being built, and 86 chairs are being repainted. The prototype is already on display on Dechanatstraße. “I like the look. I’m curious to see how it goes down,” smiles Karl-Robert Strecker as he saws through one of the last metres of timber.