BANKS AND AUTHORITY BUILDINGS

Dear Readers,

The year 2022 has not been short of new challenges. We are all affected – still by the pandemic, by the war in Ukraine and climate change. Existing problems have intensified: shortages of skilled workers and raw materials, rising prices and inflation rates, are a particular burden on the construction industry and will continue to occupy us for a long time to come. The young generation of architects is reacting – with appeals, activities and initiatives, which we are happy to support. Every step in the right direction counts, as we have seen at numerous recent events. Even at trade fairs such as Light & Building or Orgatec, a sharpening of awareness of the problem could be discerned. When selecting the projects for our issue on “Banks and Authorities”, we found fine examples of appropriate interventions, well-placed extensions, sensible refurbishments and suggestions for further building, which, with moderate use of materials and land, lead to forward-looking solutions. Banks, such as those in Meyrin or Sarnen, are anything but prestigious and ostentatious, but accessible and empathetic. Authorities such as those in Starnberg, Korbach, Darmstadt and Plochingen provide a low-threshold environment for citizens, and the city council in Pontevedra, Spain, is responding architecturally to the challenges posed by the pandemic. And the fact that you don’t just stash money in a bank, but also wine is encouraging! One of the event highlights this fall was the 70th anniversary celebration of the bdia. Over 300 guests celebrated the past, the present and the future at the OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts! Professor Ulrich Nether keeps an eye on the latter: together with his students at TH OWL, he developed the mockup of the Thusnelda Monocab as part of an innovative rail vehicle. After the demonstrator had successfully completed an autonomous journey in October, the anniversary guests were able to see the interior design quality of the four-person pod. We look to this future with confidence, would like to thank you for your loyalty as readers with Christmas gift ideas and wish everyone a peaceful holiday season!

Best wishes
Petra Stephan, Dipl.-Ing.
Chief Editor
Architect