In 2012, Jenny Krutzinna and Lukas Koerdt established Die Zentrale, a co-working space located above the historic Berger Kino in Frankfurt’s Bornheim district. What began as a shared workspace quickly evolved into a vibrant hub for creative freelancers, activists, and urban changemakers. Die Zentrale was never a conventional office – it was a collaborative environment for new forms of work, exchange, and civic imagination. Situated in the heart of the city, it nevertheless encouraged a perspective that extended far beyond its walls.

Yet their journey was far from over. Following the successful sale of their co-working space, Die Zentrale, Jenny and Lukas first moved to Oxford, and later to Bergen, Norway. While Jenny worked as a research associate at the University of Bergen, Lukas continued developing the digital platform for sustainable, spontaneous camping, an idea he had already begun to conceptualize during their time in Frankfurt.

The platform connects travelers with unique camping locations, often situated on private land, thereby promoting a model of respectful, community-oriented tourism. Today, the app is active across Europe and has been successfully operating for over ten years, serving as a testament to the long-term viability and relevance of its values-driven approach.

Today, Jenny and Lukas reside in Oslo, where they continue to refine and expand their camping app, guided by a clear focus on community, environmental sustainability, and user-centered design. Their experiences in Frankfurt continue to inform their work: the underlying idea of creating spaces, whether physical or digital, that enable people to connect, grow, and learn from one another remains central to their vision.

What they bring is what once defined Die Zentrale: a deep sense of community, attention to atmosphere, and the ability to craft places – now under open skies – where people can meet, create, and breathe.

In 2012, to finance the renovation, furnishing, rental, and marketing of Die Zentrale, Jenny and Lukas received a EUR 50,000 loan from the Frankfurter Gründerfonds.