German Architecture

Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) have been awarded first prize in the competition to modernize Hans Scharoun's Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (Berlin State Library). Restructuring the library, their proposal for the golden “ship of books” was made to meet the demands of 21st century institutions while celebrating the existing building. The new project aims to showcase the history of Scharoun building and its development.

The Tamayouz Excellence Award has revealed its shortlist of finalists for Women in Architecture and Construction 2019, given to emerging female contributors in the architectural and construction field throughout the Near East and North Africa. This annual award honors 2 categories, Rising Star and Woman of Outstanding Achievement, and the winners will be announced next month.

The winners of the ICONIC AWARDS 2019: Innovative Architecture competition, have been announced. The “Architects of the Year” went to David Chipperfield Architects, and “Interior Designers of the Year” was granted to Snarkitecture. As for the “Architects’ Client of the Year” prize, it was presented to the city of Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany.

The Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) and the Institute for Textile and Fiber Technologies (ITFT) at the University of Stuttgart have launched the ITECH Research Demonstrator 2018-19. The project aims to investigate large-scale compliant architecture.

A modular wooden school by architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) has topped out in Frankfurt, Germany. Designed for the Miquelallee school center, the project is made using prefabricated wood modules as a temporary structure for two schools. With a steadily growing population, the need for new school buildings has risen sharply in Frankfurt am Main. The design concept was made so that the modular building can be dismantled and rebuilt at another location as needed.

German architecture and design practice HPP Architekten have created a proposal for a hybrid timber office building along the Düsseldorf riverfront. Inspired by the circular economy and the Cradle to Cradle concept, the design for the project aims to show how architecture can become part of more sustainable cities. Working with developer INTERBODEN, the team plans to show how individual components can be recycled after use, non-recyclable materials minimized and CO2 emissions reduced.

David Chipperfield's James-Simon-Galerie has opened on Museum Island in Berlin. The project serves as a new entrance between the Kupfergraben canal and the Neues Museum. The design was made to welcome large numbers of visitors while housing all the additional facilities needed by the museum. Featuring an iconic colonnade above a stone plinth, the project was made to express a classical piano nobile.

Herzog & de Meuron have released images of their proposed mixed-use office scheme in Munich, Germany. Reusing an old building south of Munich rail station, the project features a large courtyard garden accessible to the neighborhood at the center of the site.

Etienne-Louis Boullée, though regarded as one of the most visionary and influential architects in French neoclassicism, saw none of his most extraordinary designs come to life. Throughout the late 1700s Boullée taught, theorized, and practiced architecture in a characteristic style consisting of geometric forms on an enormous scale, an excision of unnecessary ornamentation, and repetition of columns and other similar elements.

German architecture practice Ingenhoven has broken ground on a new mixed-use development for Düsseldorf. As a "green heart" and urban mountain in the city, the project is being built at Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz. Called Kö-Bogen II, the design reflects the character of the neighborhood while creating a new landmark with views to Hofgarten park. The roofs and facades of the project will feature extensive greenery with hornbeam hedges and plantings as a sustainable model for the inner city.