The bunker in Zeppelinstraße in Aachen-Forst has now become a colorful eye-catcher. The artist Jagama (Alex Shifferaw) has completed his artwork on the bunker wall. For three weeks, the artist stood on the scaffolding on the façade almost every day and gave the previously unsightly wall a completely new look. Jagama said: "I associate the name "Forst" with organic shapes, greenery, coming down, taking a deep breath... And I want to express this in the picture. The dilapidated gray walls of the bunker are broken open to reveal a forest with a face full of confidence and inhabitants who are creating a home for themselves."

Enthusiasm in the neighborhood

Even during the construction process, the façade design of the previously drab gray bunker caused quite a stir in the neighborhood. Again and again, passers-by and neighbors marveled at the progress on the large façade. Schoolchildren from the Montessori elementary school opposite, Mataréstraße, also visited the artist, looked over his shoulder as he worked on the façade and were even allowed to try out spraying themselves. This gave the artist additional motivation: "Many thanks to the residents and especially to the children, whose enthusiasm for the painting spurred me on every day."

The artwork has been very well received by people in the neighborhood. Resident Maria enthuses: "I'm very happy about the picture on the bunker. It changes the whole environment for the better! As a local resident, I keep seeing people stopping in front of the picture in amazement, pointing out details to each other and taking photos. What I like about the picture is that the painted forest has brought greenery into a neighborhood that otherwise lacks greenery, that there is a lot to discover: the face, the animals, the border design, and that the extension has also been included. So the eye is drawn to the artwork as soon as you walk up Mataréstraße." "It's very good that our neighborhood is becoming a little more beautiful, but it should only be the beginning. It would be great to see more public design in the near future. There are plans for another design on the other side of the bunker, with a place to linger. We're already looking forward to that! It's good to see that an idea we discussed has been visibly implemented," says Julia, who also lives nearby. Four-year-old Ties also thinks "It's nice. I like the fox. It looks cool."

District perspective "Future Forst"

The façade design, which has now been completed, was preceded by an artists' competition in February 2025, in which almost 1,200 Aachen residents took part. They were able to choose between four designs. More than 60 percent of participants voted for Jagama's design. The mural on the Zeppelinstraße bunker is a project that was realized as part of the "Zukunft Forst" district perspective. It is intended to help increase the attractiveness of the district for local residents.

In addition to the art project, the city of Aachen has taken up another wish of the people in the neighborhood to enhance the bunker environment. The city is planning to redesign the bunker façade along Zeppelinstraße with additional greenery. Raised beds and concrete blocks with wooden supports are to be installed on the front area, where people in the neighborhood can sit and chat. The bunker wall is to be greened from fall 2025.

On November 28, 2025, a festival is planned at the bunker, where the artist of the mural "Forst im Aufbruch" will be on site and the first results of the greening of the façade on the side of the bunker facing Zeppelinstraße will also be on display.

Further information on the district perspective "Zukunft Forst" can also be found online.