New issue: ISSUE #10 Graft Architecture Office

Here you can find a small overview of the topics printed in the new issue:

• Interview with the architecture firm Graft about company philosophy, foundation, passion and exciting projects
• Apartment Guide: From the cozy old building apartment to the luxurious loft apartment
• House Guide: The big overview of different types of houses like detached houses to vacationhomes

Read online! Now on fivmagazine.com

Read the whole magazine online as well:

• FIV Issue #10

Architectural firm Graft in an interview: Current projects, company philosophy and successful foundation

Whether futuristic skyscraper, VoloPort or modern dental practice: Graft has a versatile real estate project portfolio! The globally successful architecture firm was founded by the 3 German architects Wolfram Putz, Lars Krückeberg and Thomas Willemeit in 1998 in Los Angeles. Since 2018, Sven Fuchs, Dennis Hawner and Georg Schmidthals have been part of the team of partners who continue to drive and develop the company in a future-proof manner. The company now employs over 100 people and has offices in Berlin, Los Angeles and Shanghai. Their project diversity is extensive, from modern office buildings to moveable home bases made of containers, or even residential buildings such as Villa M, to future projects such as e-charging stations or Volocopter ports. Their modern implementation of diverse projects is unique, and their passion is what sets Graft apart. The founders talked to us about their passion, founding the company and their numerous projects. Dive into the world of design real estate!

• Interview with architectural office Graft

Apartment and house guide: Here you will find the property that suits you perfectly!

We present you in our big apartment and house guide different types of real estate, so you can find your perfect property. We go into detail about the advantages, disadvantages and features of each type of property, so that you can choose your dream property.

Old building apartment: apartment with high ceilings decorated with stucco – advantages, disadvantages & explanation.

You’re a student, want to move in with your partner or just want to get away from home and into the city? Maybe you are even thinking about buying an apartment? Then an old building would be right for you. Due to their predominant proximity to city centers, Altbau apartments are hot on the market. High ceilings, bay windows and box windows are characteristic features of this architecture and promise a feel-good factor. Altbau apartments are often found in an apartment building or even in a historic villa. Whether renting or buying, here you will find useful tips, advantages and disadvantages around this special building type.

• Old building apartment

Loft apartment: buying, renting and living – how old factories become luxury apartments

If you are looking for an apartment or want to find out more about the market, you will come across a number of terms: apartment on a floor, attic apartment, maisonette and many more. We would like to answer the following question for you here: What exactly is a loft? During the 40’s lofts first appeared in large cities such as New York. In this process, old storage areas and factories were converted into living space in order to live inexpensively. This definition has nothing to do with today’s meaning of a loft. Nowadays lofts are highly sought after, exclusive and very expensive. Nowadays, old industrial buildings continue to be converted, but also new buildings are built in loft style. If you want to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages or tips about this type of architecture, then you are at the right place.

• Loft apartment

Single-family home: build, buy or rent? Modern ideas for your own home

The traditional single-family home has not been so traditional for a long time. Quite the opposite. The single-family house is rightly the most popular type of house in Germany and is becoming increasingly modern, although it continues to compete with other types of house such as the villa, the solid house or even the prefabricated house, although the categories do not have to be mutually exclusive. From the floor plan, to energy regulations, to the little extras: your single-family home is up to date. Especially for young families, this type of house is something very special, as this will usually be the first home of their own. You are interested in building or renting, or maybe even want to buy a house? Here you can find out everything about the advantages and disadvantages of a single-family home, useful tips and everything you need to know, from the perfect plot of land to the right energy regulations.

• Single family house

Vacation home: buy or build dream house by the sea or lake? Advantages, disadvantages & tips

Who does not know it? You’ve simply fallen in love with a place and would love to spend every free minute there. But the workplace and the main focus of life are simply too much anchored in the actual home country. In such a situation the option of a vacation home opens up. Whether on the beach or on the lake: a vacation home or weekend house can be located basically anywhere, and have almost any house form. Whether it is a villa, bungalow or country house, a vacation home can be many things. Buying a house for rental purposes is also an option. Criteria, characteristics, and the question of if and how we try to answer you in the following article.

• Vacation home

KU64 Dental Clinic & KU65 Kids Club: Dental clinic with design

The projects “KU64 Dental Clinic” (2005) and “Ku65 Kids Club” (2011) were both commissioned by the dentist Dr. med. dent. Stephan Ziegler by the architectural office Graft. The aim was to turn the dental practice, which has mainly negative associations, into a real world of experience that would make the patient’s visit as pleasant as possible. The goal was clear: away from the clinical and hygienic state of emergency, towards positive associations of well-being and relaxation. The fear of the dentist should be forgotten, associations of a visit to the beach should be evoked.

© Tobias Hein / KU 64

Location in Berlin: Kudamm, city centre

The dental practice of dentist Stephan Ziegler is located in the center of Berlin, directly on Kurfürstendamm in the Wilmersdorf district. The central location and the unique design make the practice a patient favorite, and especially children get their money’s worth here. The connection to public transport is optimal due to the central location.

Streetview: Tour of the practice

Don’t have any dental issues, but would love to take a look around the property? No problem! With Google Streetview, you can not only view the building from the outside, but also take a virtual tour of the dental practice. Take a closer look at the design and layout of the rooms at your leisure.

KU64 Dental Clinic: Dental practice with comfort and attention like in a spa

The concept for the design and architecture of the KU64 Dental Clinic was to represent a radical, new type of the usual dental practice. Shades of yellow, red and orange, as well as the implied dune landscape, are intended to create a space that makes the visitor feel as if they are visiting a beach. The floor curves up and the ceiling forms waves: the space is meant to envelop visitors and doctors rather than enclose them. “Dune mountains and valleys” are thereby arranged to preserve privacy and maintain a sense of intimacy, but still allow for a generous view throughout the practice.

© Tobias Hein / KU64

KU65 Kids Club: Dental practice for children with “playground”, colours and pictures

The Kids Club was created in 2011 as an extension of the Ku64 practice, and is – as the name already suggests – a children’s dental practice. The dune landscape from the already realized KU64 practice is continued in the Kids Club, and allows climbing and playing on ceilings and walls of the practice through various applications. One of the highlights here is a vertical garden behind which the treatment rooms are located.

© Tobias Hein / KU65

Special Features: Daybeds, fireplace, climbing wall & vertical gardens

What actually makes the dental practice on the Kudamm so special? The pictures speak volumes! This is probably one of the most unique and unusual dental practices you have ever seen – especially in Germany. Innovation and design combine with the functional purpose of a dental practice and turn the visit to the dentist, so feared by many, into a positive experience.

The interior design, laid out like a dune landscape, and warm colours are intended to convey a feeling of a spa and a visit to the beach, while the fireplace and sunbathing areas invite you to linger. Health and well-being are the main focus here. The Kids Club is also designed with the positive experience of young patients in mind. Climbing facilities distract children from anxiety and provide plenty of space and opportunity for play, fun and discovery.

© Hiepler , Burnier / KU 64

Technical data: location, client, construction period

The project of the KU64 / 65 dental practice was very close to the hearts of the architects from Graft Architekturbüro. To create the combination of a “classic” dental practice with innovation and a completely new feeling for the patients – that was the difficulty. In the meantime, the practice extends over two floors for young and old alike, and offers plenty of room for discovery. Here are some technical facts of the special architectural project:

• Location: Berlin, Kurfürstendamm
• Project: Health (dental clinic)
• Client: Dr. med. dent. Stephan Ziegler
• Period: 2005 (KU64 Dental Clinic)
• Period: 2011 (KU65 Kids Club)

© Hiepler , Burnier / KU64

Architects Graft: Interview on architecture, projects and air taxi ports

With 150 employees by now, the architecture firm Graft is a large and internationally highly successful architectural practice. With offices in Berlin, Los Angeles and Beijing, international masterpieces are accomplished and the portfolio of architects is growing and growing. You can find out what exactly the Graft architectural practice is all about, how the company came into being and which exciting projects Graft has realised or will realise in addition to the KU64 Dental Clinic in our detailed article on the Graft architectural practice. We also talked to one of the founders of Graft in an extensive interview about the Dental Clinic and many other works. You can find the whole interview and the inspiring answers of the architects here:

1. Architect’s office
2. Residential & Mixed Use
3. Future: E-car charging station & Co.

© Tobias Hein, KU65

More pictures & impressions: KU65 – Child-friendly doctor’s visit

Here you get some more insights into the Kids Club on Kurfürstendamm. Particularly special here are the penetrating color scheme and the many child-friendly illustrations on the walls, ceilings and floors.

© Tobias Hein, KU65

© Tobias Hein, KU65

Bricks Berlin: Architecture as an opportunity for conversion projects

The “Bricks Berlin Schöneberg” is one of the projects of the successful architecture firm Graft from Berlin (more about Graft later). The building complex, which extends over various houses, is one of the flagships of Graft. The challenge of this project was the revitalization of a former post office site, where the conversion for commercial, university and gastronomy purposes, as well as the addition of two new buildings were required by the client. On a total gross area of 32,000 m², work was carried out over a total of 7 years (2014 – 2020) to complete this major project. What makes the Bricks Berlin Schöneberg so special, you will learn in the following.

© BTTR GmbH

Location in Berlin Schöneberg

The Bricks in Berlin is centrally located in the Schöneberg district, partly directly on the main street, partly on Belziger Straße. The accessibility is very good via roads via car as well as via public transport, making the building complex easy to reach for everyone. The area around the building is one of the most popular residential areas of the city and makes the apartments contained in the Bricks particularly attractive.

Streetview: Here you will find Bricks Berlin, Live View

You want to know what Bricks Berlin looks like live and in color? Then use Google StreetView to take a direct look at the building! Take a look around the neighborhood and virtually discover the area around Bricks Berlin on your own.

Special Features: Brick facade for apartments, offices, restaurants and more

Bricks Berlin is a special and complex architectural project. Decisive here: Due to the partly listed buildings, special sensitivity had to be shown here – instead of new construction, the primary focus here was on revitalization. Two new buildings were added to the historic post office site in Schöneberg, and the former roofs were activated for commercial use. This resulted in a modern building complex of shops, offices, restaurants and apartments open to the public on a total area of 32,000 m². Green spaces in the direct vicinity and a great infrastructure make this location particularly attractive.

The buildings, some of which are listed, had to be preserved and thus represented a major challenge for the architects. Different buildings were given an individual character – which in each case also results from the creation of the buildings in different decades – and yet in total fit into a coherent overall picture. Brick facades form a core design element here.

© Trockland

Technical data: location, builder, construction period and more

The Bricks Berlin Schöneberg was a challenging project over a very large area, and accordingly took several years to complete. Here you can find some of the technical facts about this revitalization project, such as the builder or the location.

• Location: Hauptstraße & Belziger Straße, Berlin Schöneberg
• Project: Revitalisation, conversion & extension
• Client: Trockland Management GmbH
• Period: 2014 – 2020
• Total gross area: 32,000 m² (total)

© BTTR GmbH

Architekten Graft: Founder Interview – Real Estate & New Construction Projects

The architectural firm Graft is a nationally and internationally successful company that now has offices in Berlin, Beijing and Los Angeles. With over 150 architects and awarded with various prizes, Graft is a highly renowned architecture firm. Their portfolio includes a wide variety of projects all over the world, from historic preservation and container buildings to modern high-rises and future projects such as e-filling stations or Volocopter stations, Graft is extremely versatile. For even more information on Graft, check out our in-depth article here: Graft Architecture Firm. We also conducted an interview with the founders, whose inspirations and exciting answers you can read here in 3 interview parts:

1. Architect’s office
2. Residential & Mixed Use
3. Future: E-car charging station & Co.

© BTTR GmbH

More pictures & impressions of the Bricks Berlin

Here you get more impressions about the Bricks Berlin Schöneberg, facade and the special features of the design. The signature look here is especially the brick facade and the corresponding, natural color scheme.

© Trockland

© BTTR GmbH

Villa M Berlin: Design highlight in Grunewald

Villa M is one of the few private residential buildings that the renowned architectural firm Graft from Berlin has realized. The client is a private individual, and commissioned the architects with this residential project. Villa M was built as a new building between 2015 and 2017, and forms an architectural highlight in Berlin Grunewald between rather “classic villas” in the neighborhood. Modern aesthetics and formal language are the focus here, and leave the classical architecture far behind. Unique architectural language, special lines of sight and an idiosyncratic facade make this property an absolute eye-catcher. What makes the Villa M in Berlin, and what it looks like, you can find out in the following.

© Tobias Hein

Location in Berlin Grunewald: Villas as far as the eye can see

Villa M is located in Berlin, Grunewald. The district is very popular and is home to some large, high-quality houses and villas. The proximity to the Grunewald forest, as well as to the banks of the Havel river, make this area particularly attractive. Secluded on the outskirts of the city with forests and lakes, yet very centrally located: that is the attraction of Grunewald. Those who live here once often never want to leave.

Here you can see the villa again in a view from the garden. The Villa M is a highlight from all angles! Similar to a good sculpture, Villa M opens up a new tension for the eye from all sides. The building leaves room for interpretation, and this is also intended by the architects. Find out for yourself what associations Villa M evokes in you personally!

© Tobias Hein

Special Features: Individual design language, ceramic facade and window frontage

What makes Villa M so special? On the one hand, it is the unique language of form, which is intended to be reminiscent of an erratic block located in a glacial landscape. This is intended to express both the proximity to nature and the desire for expressive, creative power. The trapezoidal and sculptural form gives Villa M enormous recognition value, and makes it stand out strongly from neighbouring properties.

What is special about it is that the building’s visual axes are aligned with the green spaces of the neighbourhood, creating the greatest possible privacy. Another highlight: The four-storey building is encased in a spatially folded façade made of ceramic panels. Room-high glass surfaces complete the modern, idiosyncratic look of Villa M.

© Frank Herfort

Technical data: location, construction period, living space and more

Villa M is a unique project and an absolute collector’s item. We have summarized the peripheral facts and most important information for you. Location, as well as builder, living space and much more. Get to know Villa M here via technical data:

• Location: Berlin-Grunewald
• Project: New construction of a villa with granny annexe
• Client: Private
• Period: 2015 – 2017
• Living space: 530 m²
• Facade: Ceramic tiles
• 4 floors

© Tobias Hein

Architects Graft: Founder interview about real estate, projects and e-filling stations

The architecture firm Graft was founded by 3 Germans and is a nationally and internationally successful company. They now have offices in Berlin, Los Angeles and Beijing, and the team is very large with 150 architects. You can find out what Graft is all about, what makes the firm tick and what other projects they have in their portfolio in our in-depth post: Graft Architecture Firm. We also conducted an extensive interview with the founders. What the architects think about their projects and their work, and what makes them tick, you can read here in the interview, which was divided into 3 topics:

1. Architect’s office
2. Residential & Mixed Use
3. Future: E-car charging station & Co.

More pictures & impressions: Villa M inside and outside

You haven’t seen enough of Villa M yet? Here you will find more pictures and impressions of the very special architecture of this property. No matter from which angle you look at Villa M, you will always discover something new, and it develops new charms through every angle – just like the perfect sculpture. In addition to the facade, discover the fireplace in the interior and the illuminated facade in the twilight.

© Frank Herfort

© Tobias Hein

© Tobias Hein

Graft Architekten – Real estate with passion

The architectural firm Graft from Berlin was founded by three German architects, and is now a renowned and both nationally and internationally successful company. We have conducted an extensive interview with the founders, which we have divided into 3 thematic sections, for each of which an article was created. In the first part the founders talk about passion and drive of the company. The second part of the interview deals mainly with residential and mixed use projects. The third part deals with Graft’s future projects. Click here to get to the respective parts of the interview:

1. Architect’s office
2. Residential & Mixed Use
3. Future: E-car charging station & Co.

Joint architectural studies, foundation and company statement

FIV: Dear Graft team, let’s start the interview with you as an architecture firm. When it comes to founding great companies and ideas, everything often starts off the beaten track. The founders of Uber, one of the most innovative companies in the USA and now also in Germany, met by chance in Paris. The architecture firm Graft, now also based in Shanghai (China), has its roots in Los Angeles. What was the idea, situation or objective that gave rise to the Graft architecture firm? How did you come together in LA?

Graft: It’s customary for us architects to meet at the university. That’s how it was with us, too. We all studied architecture in the same semester at the TU Braunschweig and got to know each other there. Believe it or not, we also played classical music and sang acapella together back then.

In this way we got to know each other well and quickly realized that we harmonize both vocally and humanly. With us, the whole thing was even quite professional, we toured and also released a few CDs together. An intense friendship developed out of it and looking back it seems almost fatefully clear that something lifelong would develop out of it.

Why did we found the office in LA? As young architecture graduates, we decided to go to the US at the end of the 90s, because that was the place of departure and the beginning of digitalization within our profession. In this respect, Germany was simply still a developing country.

Building in Germany or America – authorities make the difference!

FIV: A quick question for our readers who might want to build in America. German building law is, like many things here, particularly bureaucratic. So for you as an architect, free, creative planning is certainly more difficult in Germany (e.g. Berlin) than in Los Angeles (USA), for example? Does the country make a difference?

Graft: Yes, you could say that. Interestingly, building law in America is just as complex and quite strict. It is the mentality of the people in which our experiences with the responsible offices differ.

In the USA, the American idea of service also prevails in the authorities, and work is done with a higher degree of innovation and dynamism. In Germany, people stick to existing rules and are very reluctant to break new ground. In the USA, there is a much greater motivation on the part of the authorities and the other parties involved to solve the concerns of the counterpart together.

One of the flagship projects is the Charlie Living Quartier in Berlin. Get an impression of the building complex here, which has become a flagship of the company in Germany.

Architects as experts: Innovation is the key

FIV: For our readers who are discovering Graft for the first time today, how would you as the owner, founder and idea generator describe your architectural practice in a few words, what makes Graft, as a company, a brand?

Graft: We are innovators. We want avant-garde, although we are romantics at the same time. We love the origins and long history of architecture as much as the unknown future. Lars Krückeberg, for example, is a great Renaissance connoisseur, and has just returned from a one-year stay as a scholarship holder at the Villa Massimo in Rome. You could say we are seekers with strong roots. It was this search that led us to the New World back then – to the academic world of America, which was more interesting at the time. Into the spirit of optimism of a start-up culture in California. We would say we were curious, pushy people who wanted to rattle the bars of the cage called “this is how it’s always been done”.

“We are seekers with strong roots”.

That is one thing. And at the same time, we are also typically German: people with a sense of social justice. We don’t only work on high-end projects, but also initiate social projects for which we partly work for free. We are always looking for problems to solve and our time offers many urgent tasks.

These can be about beauty, about wanting to experience something you’ve never experienced before. But it can also be that one builds a house for people who otherwise cannot afford a house. The goal here is to not just repeat yourself if possible. To be a problem solver as well as a designer, that’s what we’re all about.

Print in business: always new, always different? Fashion & Architecture

Graft: The same applies to the topic of fashion, which I’m sure your readers are interested in. Only there it is much freer and at the same time subject to faster changes. For fashion designers, it’s both a curse and a blessing that they have to constantly reinvent themselves.

People don’t want to wear the same thing every day. Only when it comes to an investment and not a consumer good, the behavior is much more sedate and cautious. For many people, buying a home is a once-in-a-lifetime investment. That’s why there’s naturally more concern about maintaining value, and the question arises, “What will it all look like in 50 years?” Our claim is to design something new and a classic at the same time.

The constant search for new things is the drive

Here, too, there are pioneers on the side of the clients, whom we call “early adopters”. People who have a certain understanding of culture and art, who strive for something new in architecture. And not only does a modern car or interesting contemporary art go with modern fashion, but also contemporary architecture.

Awards and planning of new properties

FIV: Ideas from Graft is a collaboration of 3 strong founders and their partners. They are all excellent architects! Founded in 1998, they have over 20 years of expertise, experience and references. They have won many international awards. New spectacular ideas are being implemented, charging station for E.ON, the air taxi Volo-Port.

The Charlie Living Quartier in Berlin is also from your company, with which you have just been nominated for the “Archdaily 2021: Best Building Award”. Congratulations! After all these years, is it still exciting for you to tackle a new project, to plan a new building, or has all this become routine for you?

Graft: It’s always exciting. The expertise we have gained means that we can recycle our knowledge well. But that doesn’t just mean formally, creatively or inventively, but also in the tools of the trade. We now know all the tricks of the trade when it comes to building.

Every now and then we literally stand in front of a blank sheet of paper. We recently built an ice stadium for the first time and learned a lot of new things in the process.

The ice stadium in question, the “Schierker-Feuerstein-Arena”, is located in Wernigerode (Germany) and was completed in 2017. The task here was the reactivation of a historic ice stadium with a new roof construction. Here you can see the result of the Graft project.

Experience & inspiration lead architects to success

Graft: When the next assignment for a residential building or a villa comes up, we already have so many ideas and dreams from the past that you haven’t been able to implement yet, and with which the internal library in your head is filled. You look into sketchbooks and look up past designs, this fertilizes the project in a more complex way. At the same time, each project is unique and requires something new. The three of us find the actual moment of the idea the most exciting. A design often needs many ideas, variations to mature and develop.

As an architect, you should be ready to contribute to the building culture of our society and the problems it solves. The profession should be approached with verve and a desire for the unknown.

Development process: From the idea to the finished design property

Graft: We like to brainstorm and sketch together and inspire each other with ideas. That flow in creativity where a vague idea becomes a concrete design. That’s what we live for, probably like any creative person.

That’s why every new order is a chance to relive the moment of brainstorming before you have to make a final commitment to plan and build the project. We like to invest a lot of time to enjoy this process.

“Passion makes a good first a very good idea.”

We are especially grateful that we feel our profession as a vocation and may live as such. Just like with good music or good fashion, you can tell if someone brings passion to the table and if there is passion in a result. Without passion, that last mile that can take an idea from good to very good can’t happen.

Projects with pride: villa for Brad Pitt, dental practice and more

FIV: I’d like to talk about a few of your projects now, but first of all, looking back over 20 years of experience as architects, which of your projects, around the world, are you most proud of?

Graft: We always remember our first steps, even if they were only small projects. The first villa for Brad Pitt, for example, or the dental practice on the Kudamm, which we have continued to build for 20 years.

Social commitment in New Orleans: Reconstruction & Co.

Graft: We are particularly proud of the first major social commitment, in which we volunteered for 10 years to help rebuild New Orleans after the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. We invited many colleagues to participate in the project. We also created a sustainable curation for the process of rebuilding the city.

Another highlight is certainly that we were curators for the German Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. For architects, this is a great accolade. In the exhibition, we looked back at what has been created architecturally and culturally along the former Wall strip in the 30 years since reunification. For me (Wolfram Putz), the greatest projects are those that are just getting started. To put it simply: I find tomorrow much, much more beautiful than yesterday.

“Tomorrow is much, much more beautiful than yesterday.” (W. Putz, founder)

I (W.Putz) have the habit of rarely returning to the projects we have built after a while. A life in motion or in the moment of invention, that is basically the most beautiful thing.

Here you can see one of Graft’s flagship projects: The Bricks in Berlin Schöneberg, right on the main street. As an old post office site, this project was particularly challenging, and the result has been both commercial and private residential space. You can read more about this exciting project in the related article: Bricks Berlin.

Architects as stage designers!? About the building process

FIV: A nice coincidence, you basically anticipated my next question. That would have been whether you dedicate yourself directly to the next project after completing one, or whether you also take the opportunity from time to time to return to the places or projects you created?

Graft: You visit a completed project now and then, but it’s not an explicit need. There are architects who have built a really great masterpiece. For example, the architect of the “Sydney Opera Hall” – he only built two things in his life, a small house in Mallorca and the famous Sydney Opera House. Of course, he has always returned to that house his whole life. It has also become a fantastic masterpiece, but after the keys are handed over, after the press appointment, a certain development sets in: The projects then “grow up” as if by themselves.

“A project is never yours for long”

Graft: Architects basically create a stage on which the users perform their own play. The feeling that a project belongs to you fades over time, even though you’ve worked on it for so many days. It then belongs to someone else. Sometimes it belongs to the private user, sometimes to the public, who, if it goes off “Berlin-style”, think up a nickname for it, and again make something entirely their own, a new identity out of it.

Collaboration with architects: Getting to know each other & developing an idea

FIV: Who wants to realize his ideas with a partner like you: how can we, as “home owners” imagine the concept phase, the planning, the construction of such spectacular real estate? What is important when planning a building with “design elements”?

Graft: In contrast to other well-known architects who often want to impose their own signature, we prefer a “learning journey”, the joint journey to the result. We are not so fascinated by the classic architecture competition mechanics, we prefer to get to know our clients personally. For example, we go out to dinner with them, watch football with them, dream, discuss or cook together. Getting to know each other very intensively is important to us.

“Getting to know people and putting them at the heart of invention is what we like best of all.”

This happens well before you develop a design approach, otherwise you run the risk of falling back too quickly on a drawer in your head. It’s a process, “design thinking, user-centered”: getting to know people and putting them at the center of the invention. That’s what we like best of all. It doesn’t always work, and it doesn’t always involve a single person. This process of being completely close to people, of being immersive, is what would describe us best of all. For this, it is essential that our counterpart brings the same desire for the project.

Example: Wave residential building in Berlin on the Spree

One of the architecture firm’s projects that has been completed in the meantime is, for example, the “Wave” project on the banks of the Spree in Berlin. Here, two residential buildings were created that lend the riverbank a special charm. The qualities of this special waterfront location in particular served as the conceptual model for the new building.

Here is another view into one of the many apartments of the residential building with a picturesque view of the Spree and the opposite bank.

Virtual Reality as an important medium – also for real estate

FIV: One area that is becoming increasingly interesting is VR, or virtual reality. Worldwide, for example, there is now the first real estate portal that lets new properties be presented by a virtual real estate agent, more precisely a virtual avatar named Ella . That is, she presents new properties, always looks the same, speaks countless languages, because it’s all digital.These are all first attempts, but how do you assess the future of VR technologies for presenting projects?

Graft: We find the technologies of virtual reality very fascinating. That was also one of the reasons why we went to America at the time: to further study the possibilities of the future there. There were more technological innovations in America that appealed to us. Whether it’s a software or just this hardware of VR glasses – which we actually also use in our presentations – everything is full of exciting possibilities.

Invention phase: Giving clients an idea

Graft: Architects have always learned certain techniques. One of the most time-consuming things in the invention phase is to visualize one’s own idea in the mind of the other person. In the past, the great architects used to do this, for example, by painting huge canvases that took weeks or even months to complete. Today, we have completely different technologies at our disposal to show the still embryonic architectural ideas to other people – up to the almost physical experience through VR glasses.

We were thrilled by the first demos of VR technology – it was clear that it could carry us forward. It makes architecture better, increases customer satisfaction, eliminates misunderstandings between architect and client. In addition, like any work, it suddenly gives feedback on how architecture is created. As architects, we can now use VR to better describe ideas in advance, before we cast something in concrete. It helps to control processes, to improve them, to make them more beautiful. That’s just fantastic!

Residential buildings and future projects – Interview part 2 & 3

You haven’t heard enough about the successful architects and their work? No problem, there are more interview parts waiting for you! Besides their basic work, we also asked Graft about future projects, as well as residential buildings and flagship properties. In the following posts you can dive deeper into the world of modern and innovative architecture.

Residential buildings, offices and popular projects of architects (2/3)

The second part of the interview is about flagship projects and residential and mixed-use properties. Whether it’s a dental practice, a revitalization project with a historic preservation factor, or a modern villa for private owners: the portfolio of the architecture firm is versatile and unique. No two projects are the same, and there is always something new to discover! Take a closer look at the projects here and let the founders explain more about the development processes, ideas and concepts.

• Residential real estate and flagship projects

© Tobias Hein

Future – modern architecture for air taxis & e-cars (3/3)

Electric cars, filling stations for electricity and air taxis – dreams of the future? Not at all! The modern company wants to act as a pioneer, create opportunities and solve problems! With its future projects, Graft, as a pioneer of the transport revolution, is embarking on a search for innovative solutions to modern problems together with strong partners such as e.on. Find out everything about the exciting architectural projects of tomorrow here!

• Future projects – air taxi and e-car charging stations

© Bloom Images

ICON IMMOBILIEN GmbH

Icon Immobilien: Professional, innovative and efficient real estate agency in Hamburg, as well as on the North Sea and Baltic Sea. New construction projects are for example the 22 holiday apartments “Südstrand” in Großenbrode, the 12 condominiums “West Nest” in Gr0ß Flottbek, 21 modern rental apartments in Hamburg Rissen or the “Maison au Jardin” in Hamburg’s upscale district Eppendorf.

• Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (3 ratings)
• Mühlenkamp 59, 22303 Hamburg
• 040 65052990
• Icon-real-estate.com

Tomczak property developer GmbH

Tomczak Bauträger: Family business for 25 years. Current building projects include the construction of six exclusive architect townhouses in Hamburg-Alsdorf, seven modern architect townhouses in Hamburg-Lurup or the construction of eight modern semi-detached houses and four townhouses.

• Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (13 ratings)
• Stader Str. 260a, 21075 Hamburg
• 040 768991410
• Tomczak-bautraeger.de

Exporo

Exporo scores with a diverse range of properties with over 395 projects. Current portfolio properties include the health centre at Hasselbachplatz in Magdeburg, the “Alte Werft” residential and commercial property in the centre of Amsterdam and the Altstadt Quartier in Bremen.

• Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (41 ratings)
• Am Sandtorkai 70, 20457 Hamburg
• 040 210917300
• Exporo.com

OTTO WULFF

Otto Wulff creates living spaces that make people happier. In addition to the Hamburg office, there is also a location in Berlin and Leipzig. References are for example the office building “Schlachthofstraße” in Harburg, the school construction project “new Campus Steilshoop” in the north of Hamburg or the holiday apartments “Godewindpark” near the beach in Travemünde.

• Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 (45 ratings)
• Archenholzstraße 42, 22117 Hamburg
• 040 736240
• Otto-wulff.de

Wph Housing and Project Development

wph Wohnbau: A family business specialising in high-quality real estate property in Hamburg. References include the “Parkside 2” in Lokstedt, the six condominiums “Doppeltes Lottchen” or the 12 high-quality condominiums “Aquamarin” in the new prestigious district of Hamburg-Altona.

• Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 (7 ratings)
• Rothenbaumchaussee 44, 20148 Hamburg
• 040 21116570
• Wph-immo.com

NEUBAUTEAM CVJ Kapital & Immobilienberatungs-GmbH

The boutique company Neubauteam transforms the old and creates the new. Projects such as the “Ried Höfe”, consisting of 13 detached houses and 26 townhouses in Hamburg Rissen, the 12 modern condominiums “Les Belles” in Hamburg Hohenfelde or the Flurterrassen between the Elbe and the city are part of the repertoire.

• Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 (6 ratings)
• Alte Rabenstraße 22, 20148 Hamburg
• 040 59362600
• Newbuildingteam.com