BANKS AND AUTHORITY BUILDINGS

Dear Readers,

The December issue of a monthly magazine is a fitting opportunity to take stock. One thing is clear: 2025 has once again been a challenging year – climatically, politically and economically. Many problems and tasks remain unresolved, but work is underway. A promising example: the bdia Summit 2025 in Berlin. It was entitled “Culture of Conversion as an Attitude” and, following a well-curated lecture programme, some 250 participants agreed that there is good reason to hope that the construction industry, politics and the economy are beginning to respond to the signs of the times. Architecture and interior architecture can play an important role in fostering intercultural understanding – something German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier experienced first-hand at the openings of the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, designed by Atelier Brückner, and the German Embassy in Vienna, designed by Schulz und Schulz Architekten. Even though the new embassy building was at times controversial, it can ultimately be said that it continues the tradition of democratic architecture in a contemporary form – a tradition that Stuttgart architect Rolf Gutbrod had already established in 1965. In her article “Gutbrod in Vienna”, Dr Christiane Fülscher reflects on his exceptional post-war building, which was demolished in 2019. But are demolition and new construction still justifiable today? In our research for this issue’s theme “Banks and Public Authorities”, we came across some outstanding conversion and fit-out projects, but also new buildings which – we believe – make an essential contribution to Baukultur. One example: the lock keeper’s building in Schwabenheim, designed by Ecker Architekten. What all these projects have in common is a strong creative power, a conscious use of energy and resources, and the potential for future repurposing. These are the qualities that can elevate a building to icon status – like the eponymous sanatorium in Paimio, Finland, designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto, where architecture lovers can now spend the night. To help you sleep peacefully through to Christmas, we’ve also put together a selection of gift ideas – by and for interior designers and architects – along with award-winning publications for book lovers. We wish you a peaceful Advent season, a joyful Christmas and all the very best for 2026!

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