Unperfekthaus - a unique creative concept

The Unperfekthaus (UpH) in Essen. Now what exactly is that? Studios with galleries? Café? Coworking? Colourful artist and creative island? Museum? Hotel? Project magnet? Difficult to say. A bit of it all. Yet one thing is certain: The UpH is unique.

In the middle of Essen's north, entrepreneur and visionary Reinhard Wiesemann realised a more than unusual idea: he bought a former Franciscan monastery and transformed it into an "artist and creative village".

The art: Artists of every kind have the option to rent a studio space for a small fee (€ 45 per quarter). The condition: The doors remain open so that everybody can take a look over the creative shoulders - and of course by works of art if a piece is of interest.
That alone would hardly be new. Six floors with 4,000 square metres feature a lot more diversity . You have to take some time to explore and understand the UpH from top to bottom.

Office (c) Holger Steffens

The Coworking: On the different floors, the UpH features several calm corners for work, relaxation, contemplation or inspiration. Those who didn't bring their laptop may use one of the PCs on site - or borrow an iPad at the reception. Brought your laptop but the battery is low? No problem - charging cables for the common Apple products can be borrowed. And: There are printing and copying machines of course. Really everything that coworkers and founders need if they don't have their own office spaces. If your head is about to explode you can go play some table footie, flipper or use the table-tennis table.

Stage (c) Holger Steffens

The group dynamics: Everyone can register a project and use rooms at UpH. One precondition: It has to be legal. Apart from that, anything goes - a group of regulars for handmade dolls, yogis or musicians who want to practice at the auditorium. Even fans of roller-skating musicals have reportedly been sighted on their roller skates on the wooden floors of the auditorium. A room occupancy list shows the meetings - conflicts are avoided by this. The same concept applies: Each visitor can watch what's going on, listen or even participate if appropriate. An open house by all means.

Seminar room (c) Holger Steffens

Closed seminars: There might be some seminars, courses or meetings that might not be for everyone. Even in this area, UpH features appropriate capacities and offers rooms with different installations and technical equipment such as beamers. These rooms aren't free of charge. Yet they are affordable. It is an interesting fact that numerous large companies from the steel or finance industry book these meeting rooms. Men in suits and the creative? Is it possible under the same roof? "Totally!" says Sabine Kampling, supervisor at UpH. „We notice that the surroundings rubs off on participants - as the seminar progresses, many losen their ties or take them off.“

The "hotel": The UpH also offers accommodation - which is a bit different of course. The "Hotel-WG" (hotel commune; translator's note) offers comfort and luxury including a sauna. Yet it is catered to communities. I.e.: You can rent the WG as a whole with up to 14 places to sleep. To be exact, it is an ideal solution for all of those who come from different parts of Germany to focus on specific projects for a couple of days - the hotel also offers desk spaces to work on.

View in the cafe (c) Holger Steffens

The catering: Besides the cafe on the main floor, there is a buffet restaurant on the fourth floor that offers a wide selection for different tastes. Meals at set times? No way. It wouldn't fit the concept of the house. During the daily opening hours which are from 10 am to 11 pm, nobody will have to starve or die of thirst at UpH. And if some want to bring their own sandwiches - no problem either. There won't be any wry looks for it at the restaurant. Post-meal lounging is offered on the partially weatherproof roof terrace.

The rates: To be able to run a project of its kind with all its features, UpH has to impose an entrance fee. The stay for five hours costs € 6.50 including non-alcoholic beverages. There is also a "trial hour" for € 4. But that's nonsense. Even those who only wish to get an impression of UpH as visitors need more than an hour to see everything, have a chat and to understand the concept.
Nothing for a quick whiz trough

Strictly speaking, the price list at UpH is just as colourful as the house itself. And that's a good thing. Don't worry: The friendly staff at the entrance are happy to help and facilitate the start into the building. For all other questions, there is an information office on the first floor.

Yet the best thing to do is to experience UpH on your own terms. Those who didn't have that on their agenda - include it into your next visit to Essen. And bring some time. I cannot recommend whizzing through UpH.