Our ambition is to achieve as much positive social and economic impact as possible with the least negative impact on the environment
We do this by questioning whether buildings are really needed
By propagating the reuse of existing buildings and infrastructures
By following the rule of minimal intervention
By thinking as developers, not only designing buildings but also their programs, the hardware and the software, as well as their integration
By promoting the rethinking and abolishment of atavistic building standards
By creating effective architectures that act as climate systems instead of efficient buildings that rely on fast aging machines to function
By developing long-lasting, repairable, and reusable buildings that are resilient to change due to their openness and generosity
By integrating the old and the new, the building and the ensemble, the architecture and the landscape
Design / Development / Planning
We believe that respect for the existing is the best precondition for any new development. We take existing multilayered resources and energies of a given site very serious: the social structure, the plants, the materials, the history, or the climatic conditions. For us, our work does not start with a design but with a discovery and knowledge development process. Amplifying the existing and thinking in lifecycles are the foundations of our work towards robust, long-lasting, generous, and valuable buildings that are flexible and allow multiple uses in the long term.
We are creative partners for ambitious clients who want to see their architectural needs and dreams realized at the highest level. We help them to discover the possibilities and develop the unexpected qualities of their property or building stock. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of architectural services. Besides designing, constructing, and realizing interiors and buildings, we also research, program, and develop on an urban scale. From our offices in Munich and Berlin, we are working throughout Germany.
The main principles in our work are integration and amplification: the integration of old and new, the integration of our architecture in its natural or built context, the integration of building systems and structure, the integration of functions, needs, and local factors into a comprehensive spatial and creative concept. By discovering and amplifying the existing spatial, material, natural, energetic, social, historic or architectural potentials, we are able to achieve a maximum of qualities with a minimum of effort. Ultimately, it is not merely formal or material quality that matters, but the capability of buildings to generate a connection between themselves and their inhabitants, between inside and outside, nature and architecture, history and the present.
Our pleasure in architecture originates in the coherence of thought and form and the generosity of space and light.
Realisation
We manage the realisation of architectural projects on a high professional, creative, and technical level.
In addition to the design assignment, we offer to take on the duties of the bidding and tendering process as well as site management and project control - these are essential parts of the architectural development process. On large-scale projects, we collaborate with long-time partners who are specialized in the aforementioned project phases, thus contributing additional know-how and quality to the entire process of project realisation.
On the building site, the quality achieved depends strongly on the competence of the contracted companies. The professionalism and craftsmanship of staff as well as a willingness to push limits and achieve something as close to perfection as possible, are crucial aspects in our selection of partners. In addition to the 'classic' ways of finding construction partners - like a public or selective tendering – we have a valuable network of highly skilled companies and innovative suppliers with whom we directly collaborate in high-grade projects.
Coordination
We have extensive experience in being responsible for coordinating planning teams, or even delivering full construction project design services. In certain cases, it makes sense to transfer all planning tasks to one partner who takes overall responsibility, including client tasks such as project coordination and tenant care.
To deliver a holistic and comprehensive result, we compile a competent and appropriate team for each project, drawing upon our growing national and international network of experienced architects and specialists.