The "Island of Time" in Weimar-Argenstein aims to depict human life along the Lahn River over the past millennia. The site of the open-air museum, currently under development, requires two river crossings – and students from the Technical University of Central Hesse THMhave provided the designs for them.
In the town hall of Weimar (Lahn), the master's students of the bridge construction module under Prof. Dr. Bertram Kühn presented their designs. The presentation was very well received by Mayor Markus Herrmann, representatives of the sponsoring association and the cooperative, as well as their chairman Dr. Andreas Thiedmann.
As part of a project-based course, the students developed three different bridge designs as well as a dam-like crossing with a culvert for a stream branch. To gain an understanding of the terrain and the waterways it crosses, they visited the "Time Island" in early summer, documented the conditions, and took measurements – the basis for developing the three designs. Accompanying technical documentation – an explanatory report, preliminary structural analysis, construction drawings, and cost estimate – was prepared for all proposals and submitted to the municipality as a basis for further planning. The group also issued a clear recommendation for a preferred design.
“Projects like these combine teaching and real-world construction – our students not only learn to design, but also how to balance planning specifications, logistics, and budget,” said Prof. Dr. Bertram Kühn, who regularly teaches with students on real-world projects. “The depth of the work and the professionalism of the documentation were impressive.”
Mayor Markus Herrmann emphasized the immense benefits of the collaboration: “In times of tight municipal budgets, sound planning documents are a real asset. The bridges are central to the planned tour on the Time Island. Without them, the visitor experience cannot be realized.”
Dr. Andreas Thiedmann added: “We greatly appreciate the high quality of the work. The designs provide a concrete basis for tackling the next planning step quickly and thoroughly.”
The presentation also included photorealistic visualizations created using AI tools. The students made it clear to the audience that these images were intended as illustrations for laypeople and could contain technical inaccuracies upon closer inspection. "Beautiful pictures don't replace an engineering exam," said Kühn, who sees the value of such graphics in presenting designs cost-effectively and in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.
The results of the student project will, after review, be incorporated into the actual planning process for the Time Island and thus directly contribute to the completion of the museum tour. The Time Island, under development since 2010, aims for a full opening in 2026; individual opening days are already taking place.
