Before the official opening in October, members of the press had the opportunity to take a first look at the new Air Force base in Roth. Located on the grounds of the Otto Lilienthal Barracks south of Nuremberg, a new training facility for around 2,000 soldiers and instructors is taking shape – based on a master plan developed by Gerber Architekten.

The design both visually and conceptually draws on themes from aviation: the metal façade, equipped with movable louvers, references elements of aircraft construction, while the auditorium is topped with a ceiling designed to resemble the night sky. The courtyard landscaping also follows a military aesthetic, featuring planting in a camouflage pattern.

A key architectural element is the large cascading staircase, also referred to as the “Himmelsleiter” (“stairway to heaven”). The tall open space above it will in future serve as an exhibition area for model aircraft. With the construction of the new Air Force base, the Bundeswehr gains a forward-looking location that combines functionality, symbolism, and architectural quality.

Photo © Bundeswehr