PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Dear Readers,

Do you remember what you were doing on 2 May 2000? I do: it was my very first day working in the AIT editorial team! What initially felt like a temporary episode in my career soon turned into something that just felt right – so much so that, 25 years and 250 AIT issues later, time seems to have flown by. Since we want you to be part of this journey through time, you will find a new section entitled “25 years ago” starting on page 15. Under this heading, we’ll – over the coming months – be leafing through the respective AIT issues from 2000 and looking back on that year. The Salone del Mobile in Milan (see above) has already been held since 1961; just two weeks ago, the 63rd edition came to a close with the usual high number of visitors. We’ve compiled our first photo impressions starting on page 38. Meanwhile, our AIT colleague Annette Weckesser has been exploring the ISH, Janina Poesch is currently visiting the EXPO 2025 in Osaka, and I’m in the middle of packing for the Venice Architecture Biennale – we’ll be keeping you posted! Hot off the press is the outcome of the very first ECIA Award: the European Council of Interior Architects presented the award on 25 April in Oslo – and two German interior architecture projects took first and second place! Congratulations to 12:43 Architekten and DIA Dittel Architekten – details on page 14! The high level of expertise among German interior designers and architects, particularly in the fields of kindergarten and school construction, is also reflected in the selection of projects for this issue’s theme “Public Buildings”: whether new builds, conversions or upgrades focusing on energy consumption, you’ll find an impressive range of outstanding cultural and educational buildings in Berlin, Stuttgart, Massenbachhausen, Ellwangen, Ingerkingen und Merseburg on more than 50 pages. A particularly challenging task – designing for children with visual impairments – is powerfully described by Liza Heilmeyer from Stuttgart-based architecture firm Birk Heilmeyer und Frenzel. And that public buildings can rightfully have a second life as lost places and serve as film sets or even portals to nowhere is something Benjamin Reding shares from personal experience. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has supported me with friendship, trust and inspiration over the past 25 years. I look forward to many more meaningful exchanges to come.

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