What does it mean to be an architect today?
The profession requires creativity, technical expertise, project management skills, legal understanding and, for a long time now, a strong awareness of sustainability and social responsibility. Being an architect is demanding, but incredibly fulfilling. I wouldn't want to be anything else.
Where do you see the opportunities and risks for someone who will run an architecture firm in Berlin in the next ten to twenty years?
Berlin offers many exciting opportunities, particularly due to the constantly changing city, the cultural diversity and the great interest from international investors. The challenges lie in the strong competition, regulatory hurdles and economic fluctuations. Success will come to those who stand out through creative, innovative and sustainable approaches - and who can react quickly and flexibly to change.
What do your projects say about you?
Our portfolio includes a variety of project types - from residential and commercial buildings to public buildings and specialized facilities. This shows how versatile and adaptable we are, even and especially as a relatively small office. We manage to develop tailor-made solutions that precisely meet the specific needs and wishes of our clients.
Trust is paramount
What makes you different from other offices?
I'm not so interested in what makes us different. It's more important for me to emphasize what I feel is special about us. For me, the trust that connects us as a team is of the utmost importance. It's a bit like a good, well-functioning and familiar family; that's where everyone finds their family best.
How does this trust manifest itself in your office culture?
It is important to me to encourage all team members to take responsibility for their tasks and to work independently. I try to create a working environment that promotes team spirit and where everyone feels valued. Everyone must have access to the same information and understand how their work fits into the overall project. An open feedback culture is an essential part of this. This is how we have managed even the most difficult and strenuous projects so far. And not entirely badly, as the long-standing trust of our clients shows.
"Success is opportunity seized."
What is the best piece of advice you have received regarding your career?
A good mentor gave me a piece of advice: Success is opportunity taken!
That means: on the one hand, of course, the opportunity has to present itself, and on the other, you have to be able to recognize it and make the most of it with your specific skills.
What advice would you give to young Architects who are just starting their career?
Find mentors who can support you with their knowledge and experience. Work on different projects to gain a wide range of experience and develop your skills. Develop the ability to think critically and solve problems creatively. And: learn to work in a team, as this is essential in the architecture industry.
What was not clear to you at the start of your career? What did you first have to acquire and (possibly laboriously) learn?
Actually, pretty much everything! The diverse and complex challenges, especially in the everyday life of us self-employed architects, would also be very difficult to convey during my studies. Not to mention the constantly and rapidly changing signs and circumstances. That's why it's important to be calm and to know that you can trust yourself and your employees.
"My wish is that the office lives on."
When you hand over your office to a successor one day, close the door behind you for the last time and say to yourself: "What we did here was really successful" - what does that make you say? How do you measure your success?
My greatest success is the great consistency of our office in terms of its wonderful, loyal and very individual employees. Should I actually hand over the office one day, I hope that I won't close the door behind me for the last time. I hope and wish that my experience will also be in demand beyond that, and I would always offer this to those who come after me. It would be really nice if this small cosmos were to continue and live on in a similar vein, reflecting the past years, the cooperation and the large number of successful projects.
