The design for our student residence in Hof, Bavaria, combines modern design with ecological responsibility. The two-part structure opens up towards a protected biotope, creating a quiet retreat for the students. The positioning on the plot and the angled shape of the building create an inviting entrance situation, while the building sections allow for optimal lighting conditions and exciting visual relationships. Three modular staircases ensure flexible and efficient access.
Sustainability takes centre stage in our design: extensive green roofs improve the microclimate and rainwater is collected to irrigate the green areas. The façade made of prefabricated timber elements shortens the construction time and guarantees high quality. The bulkhead construction method ensures fast and cost-efficient realisation, while low-maintenance materials provide a long-lasting and pleasant living environment.
On October 2, the cornerstone for the expansion of the Emschergenossenschaft headquarters in Essen was laid. The historic Emscherhaus, designed by Wilhelm Kreis in 1909 and marking the site of the Water Management Association for over 100 years, will be complemented by an innovative new building from Gerber Architekten. The goal is to unite all employees, who have previously been spread across multiple locations, in one place.
The new timber hybrid building combines listed architecture with modern, innovative solutions. The expansion completes the block perimeter and creates a landscaped courtyard with water features. This blue-green design, which replaces the old parking lot, emphasizes the ecological focus of the Emschergenossenschaft. An additional entrance on the side away from the street ensures a harmonious connection between the new building and the adjacent park.
The expansion of the historic site is a sign of the Emschergenossenschaft’s commitment to sustainable development and innovative architecture. In time for the 125th anniversary of the Emschergenossenschaft in 2025, the new building will connect the history of the Water Management Association with modern, forward-looking workspaces.
Photo: © Gerber Architekten
On September 26, 2024, the topping-out ceremony for the new building of the Chemical Institutes and the Technical Center at the Campus Riedberg of Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main was celebrated. Representatives of the university, the state of Hesse, and the city of Frankfurt gathered at the construction site to commemorate this important construction milestone. “In this new building, interdisciplinary research will continue to be conducted at an international level – in collaboration with all other disciplines on the Campus Riedberg as well as with the non-university research institutions,” explained Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff, President of Goethe University.
The new building consists of two parallel structures that meet the ever-changing demands of science with their modern laboratories and flexible research spaces. The design of the building, which harmoniously integrates with the existing campus architecture through the use of red brick, provides areas for communication and relaxation in the green courtyards between the buildings. A central corridor runs through the two building sections, innovatively connecting the areas of research and teaching.
The completion of the project is planned for 2026/2027 and will expand Campus Riedberg, where Gerber Architekten has successfully realized three other buildings since 2009, with a significant research facility.
Photo: © Gerber Architekten
On 24 September 2024, the ground-breaking ceremony for the new geosciences and environmental sciences building was held on the campus of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich. Munich’s Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter, representatives of the university and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts were in attendance. “This new building is of great importance for our Faculty of Earth Sciences and offers our students and scientists excellent study and working conditions for their socially highly relevant research,” emphasised LMU President Dr Bernd Huber.
The sculptural building blends harmoniously into its surroundings and forms a transparent hall that serves as an entrance area and “shop window” for the sciences. Around 32,000 square metres of modern laboratory and workshop space as well as a comprehensive library landscape will be created. The multifunctional hall will be used as a public space for exhibitions and events, allowing research to be experienced directly. The new building is scheduled for completion in mid-2026 and will strengthen the presence of geosciences and environmental sciences in Munich.
Photo: © Gerber Architekten
Gerber Architekten was awarded 1st place out of 49 participants for their design concept for the expansion and renovation of Kantonsschule Romanshorn in Switzerland.
The Kantonsschule Romanshorn, which has expanded over several years, exhibits a heterogeneous structure with significant construction and energy deficiencies. The current internal layout no longer meets modern requirements and features barriers and passage classrooms that necessitate a comprehensive overhaul of the existing facilities.
Our design particularly highlights the skillful combination of old and new elements, which is both complex and cost-effective, and creates a harmonious connection with the landscape. The integration of the main corridor and the elimination of split levels create a functional unit within a cohesive building mass without hierarchical distinctions. Specifically, the concept includes the long-term use of the existing real estate, supported by a precise potential and structural analysis. Additionally, the heterogeneous building stock is transformed with climate sensitivity, with renovation measures, horizontal extensions, and densification achieved with minimal land use. Complementing this, an extension concept is implemented in an economical, climate-friendly, and quickly realizable timber construction method. A special highlight is the rooftop gardens, which play a central role in shaping both the external and internal impact of the school.
On the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival we send our warmest wishes to you and your families. May the full moon bring you joy, health and success. We thank you for the successful collaboration over the past year and look forward to more joint projects in the coming year. May all your wishes come true!
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
Gerber Architekten have won the 1st prize in an internationally announced competition for the design of the Adem Jashari Memorial Complex in Kosovo. The complex holds central significance for the country’s culture of remembrance and honors the historic resistance of the Kosovar people.
The design includes the conversion of a former munitions factory into a National Museum of Resistance that documents the history of the Kosovar freedom movement. A central component of the design is the water tower, which offers visitors a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The newly designed park combines modern design elements with historical touches, creating a place for encounters and reflection. The tower is complemented by this modern park landscape, which harmoniously combines cultural diversity and recreation.
The historic houses of the Jashari family, considered the core of the memorial complex, will be preserved within innovative glass enclosures that maintain a strong visual presence both day and night. These glass enclosures serve as beacons, reminding visitors of the enduring significance of the events that took place there. The integration of landscape and architectural design creates a harmonious space that emphasizes remembrance, education, and cultural identity. The design exemplifies how history and modernity can be intertwined in a forward-thinking project.
The ground-breaking ceremony for our new building project in Bayreuth was held on 8th of August 2024. In addition to Lord Mayor Thomas Ebersberger and the responsible persons of the city of Bayreuth, our architect Thomas Mondong from Hamburg was also on site.
A narrow administration building consisting of two modular structures will be built on the tip of the site in accordance with DGNB guidelines. The special feature of this project is the timber-concrete composite construction and the transparent urban loggias, which clearly visualise the idea of sustainable and synergetic working in the city. In combination with the existing switchgear building, an attractive forecourt and entrance area will be created for the new headquarters of Stadtwerke Bayreuth.
We are looking forward to the coming construction phases and look forward to moving this project ahead.
Photo (from left): Berenike Bölting (Stadtwerke Bayreuth), Matthias Rieß (Stadtwerke Bayreuth), Michael Schmidt (Stadtwerke Bayreuth), Frank Hofmann (Bayreuther Gemeinschaft), Thomas Ebersberger (Lord Mayor), Jürgen Bayer (Managing Director Stadtwerke Bayreuth), Michael Steinmetz (Stadtwerke Bayreuth), Gerd Luber (Stadtwerke Bayreuth), Thomas Mondong (Gerber Architekten) and Sebastian Rödig (Stadtwerke Bayreuth).
Photo ©Gerber Architekten