AIT 12.2025 Banks and Authority Buildings – Between Democracy and Building Culture
Architecture and interior design can make an important contribution to mutual understanding between countries and cultures. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier experienced this firsthand at the opening of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo by Atelier Brückner and the German Embassy in Vienna by Schulz und Schulz Architekten. Even though the new embassy building was considered controversial, it can ultimately be said that the tradition of democratic building has found a contemporary continuation of what Stuttgart architect Rolf Gutbrod set out to achieve back in 1965. During our research for the current issue’s theme, “Banks and Government Agencies,” we found exemplary conversions and extensions in existing buildings, but also new buildings that we believe make an indispensable contribution to building culture—such as the lock building in Schwabenheim by Ecker Architekten. All projects are united by their great design power, conscious use of energy and resources, and the option of changing their use. These qualities can turn buildings into icons, such as the sanatorium of the same name in Paimio, Finland, by Aino and Alvar Aalto, where architecture history fans can now also stay overnight. We wish you a relaxing Advent season, a joyful and peaceful Christmas, and all the best for 2026!
Architects, interior designers, designers, interior designers and lighting planners from almost 30 countries around the world read AIT. Almost 25 percent of the circulation is delivered abroad, which is why the ten editions of AIT are bilingual – German/English. AIT is the official organ of the BDIA (Bund Deutscher Innenarchitekten).
