First mentioned in 1119, this church in the heart of Apolda is one of the oldest buildings in the city. After several conversions, the imposing building was used as a warehouse and depot for the church until 2017. Only the chapel in the eastern part of the church is still used as a sacred space.
As part of the International Building Exhibition – IBA Thüringen, an architectural competition was initiated. The vision of the competition was a concept for a conversion of the church nave into a cultural center. The purpose of that was to give this place a supra-regional appeal and to anchor it in the urban context as a space for community and society again.
Our contribution convinced with a radical, yet gentle design approach.

The idea was to build a house within a house, without significantly altering the supporting structure. The aim is to generate an architectural impulse that brings new life into the old building, but with its own radiance. The innovative power lies within the simplicity of the architectural idea, which reverses the relation of empty space. The existing structure is affected only minimally. An open structure provides plenty of natural light in the new rooms and a unique correspondence between the old and the new.

The new spaces and structures are flexible for cultural uses.
In particular, the ground floor – the new plaza – is defined as a large, multi-functional space with a unique atmosphere.
Above that rests the two-story lightweight construction. It houses all the main functions, such as a small hall, a children’s playroom and a large hall. The existing rooms in the tower are included in the new use. An open staircase connects these areas with the new spaces in the church nave.

The new building will be supported by a solid concrete structure. The foundation is provided by micro piles with a depth of up to 14m into the ground. Only two elliptical, curved pillars support the cantilevered ceiling above. Due to its dimensions and its cantilevered structure, this slab is designed as a span-bed slab.
The two floors above are covered and supported by a wooden diamond shaped structure. This net-like structure is composed of individual plywood elements. They give the implant its outer appearance, provide thermal and acoustic separation from the main nave, and merge into a homogeneous structure.
In addition to their basic use as window openings, the individual diamond shaped elements can also be used as acoustic membranes, for speakers or the under-construction of artificial lighting installations. In order to form a consistent whole out of the different types of construction structure, the exterior surfaces are painted white. The ceilings and floors inside are kept in their natural wooden surface. The separation of rooms and the necessary storage areas are realized with room-high wooden built-in cupboards and shelves. The existing structures in the nave and spire will be left as they are, with just small adjustments like new flooring and lighting etc. to bring the structure to a modern standard.

Building project: St Martin’s Church Apolda | Conversion into a socio-cultural center
Client: Evangelical Lutheran parish of Apolda, supported by EKM | Cooperation partner IBA Thuringia
Invited realization competition: 2020, 1st prize
Completion: 2026 – under construction

The site is part of the Eichkamp housing estate in the west of Berlin, designed by Bruno Taut. The special atmosphere of a forest settlement can still be felt today. On one of the last free plots of land, this defining characteristic is being translated into a new two-storey residential building with a converted attic and a partial basement.
An almost quadratic floor plan combined with a pent roof gives the house an undirected and independent appearance that is surrounded by old, tall deciduous trees.
The dark green exterior plaster allows the building to blend into the greenery of the surrounding gardens.
With the trick of making the upper floors and the roof slightly cantilevered, the building not only gains slightly more space, but also acquires a sculptural appearance.
Apart from the basement, the house is built entirely of wood. The wood also remained the dominant material on the inside. A homogeneous flooring, made of natural mastic asphalt with integrated floor heating connects all storeys while contrasting with the light wooden surfaces. The sustainable concept is consequently continued in the energy supply provided by a water-burning stove. A house in the city and in nature alike. New and yet already part of the famous history of the estate.

Building project: Maikäferpfad | new residential building in Berlin
Client: private
Completion: 2024

The image of this village is characterized by its structural density. Starting from the “Rödelbach” creek and the main road with its compact building structures alongside the road, the appearance of this village develops with increasing heights to a loose architectural structure. These are built as three- or four-sided farms, that continue to dissolve into the fields, meadows and forests. The property of this residential building stretches from the creek in the valley, across the dissolving farm structures and into the wide landscape.

The conceptual idea is to anchor the new residential ensemble within the property and the local surroundings as if they had always been part of it. The main building, consisting of two connected, staggered volumes and the barn is an interpretation of the three-sided farm that is typical of rural regions in the Ore Mountains. Apart from this structural interpretation the ensemble rounds off the village through its axial connection to the neighbouring buildings.

The result is a unique home, that not only speaks the language of its surroundings, but also translates the regional and historical features into a contemporary yet familiar architecture. Regionally typical materials, like brick and slate, characterize the exterior of the building trilogy. The materials used on the inside, like wood and natural stones are equally natural and durable. A residential ensemble of integrity and longevity is being formed. Because the most ecological building is the one that lives the longest.

Building project: Crinitzberg residential ensemble | new building of a family home in the Ore Mountains
Client: private
Completion: 2026 – under construction

For many years, this property in the forest has been carefully planted by an ambitious botanist, the previous owner of the site. The new owners have made it their goal to preserve and continue this natural heritage. Therefore, the new building was to be added into the existing greenery as carefully as possible. As an elongated, rectangular volume, with a cantilevered roof on all sides, the new building stands out discreetly yet expressive within its context of the forest. The cantilevered roof is continued with a surrounding terrace. A lifted and roofed front area that creates the connection between inside and outside. As dark as the surrounding pine trees the exterior appearance of the house is characterized by an anthracite-colored glazed wooden cladding. To emphasize the views into nature, the inside of the building is also developed with dark colours. The high open spaces on the short sides of the building allow the view up into the wooden construction of the roof. The feeling of maximal comfort and safety continues in the living area that is lowered into the ground. It is the interplay of contrasts that give this house and site its identity. Refuge and intimacy on the one hand, wide views and spaciousness on the other.

Building project: Forrest hideaway | new building in the pine forest
Client: private
Completion: 2026 – under construction

This unique site is located south of the city center of Halle/Saale. The historic coffee garden was built at the beginning of the 18th century. Until the middle of the 20th century, it was a popular destination for daytrips and retreats. To reactivate the full potential and the unmistakable charm of this historically valuable, listed place it was necessary to develop an extremely sensitive approach to the existing buildings that were to be preserved. Our concept was to reuse the historic buildings, convert them and transform them to meet the new requirements.
However, due to the diverse uses and needs, new building structures were additionally necessary. These necessary extensions will be built on the old building’s original footprints. In the past, during medieval times, the site was already built up much more densely anyways. The natural combination between old and new is created by the use of qualitative, timeless materials like natural stones, finely textured lime plaster, and coffered windows and doors.
The former Kaffeegarten is to be reactivated in its form and function. New “ingredients” such as a delicatessen, a restaurant, a hotel and vacation apartments as well as space for therapy and art transform this place, that is so rich in history, into a contemporary, unmistakable place of recreation.

Building project: Coffee garden Am Mühlwerder | Renovation and extension of a historic ensemble for catering and accommodation
Client: GWG Gesellschaft für Wohn- und Gewerbeimmobilien Halle-Neustadt mbH
Completion: 2026 – under construction

The village of “Greifenhain” is part of the region “Kohrener Land”. It is a beautiful landscape, also known as “Tuscany of saxony”, with its gentle hills, fields and wide meadows. Here, a former four-sided farm of which only two buildings currently remain, located in a central position within the village, will be converted into a retreat. A place for art and culinary delights as well as retreat and contemplation.

The potentials of the property lie within its contrast and opposites.
Open green space to closed courtyard. A long main house to a small stable. Large, vaulted areas with thick, massive foundations to small, simple chambers with light timber framing.
Based on these historical conditions, the Hofgut is to derive its new, differentiated uses. The former stable building in the north will be revitalized in form of a new building.
Its cubature refers to the historic building. However, instead of the small former openings, the pure wooden construction now opens up into the adjacent meadows with large façade openings.
The existing structures will be rebuilt, adapted, and refurbished as little as possible and as much as necessary for the new functions. The aim is to retain the basic appearance of the facility and to create an independent yet familiar place out of the conditions of the property and the historical features of the village. A natural architecture with maximum flexibility of use, magnificent views and plenty of natural daylight. A new anchor with national appeal. A building between forest and meadow, between privacy and community. A farmstead that has always been a natural part of the village and is now being given a new life.

Building project: HILDEN | Conversion of a four-sided courtyard into a Retreat
Client: Private
Completion: 2026 – under construction

Gut Kerkow is an organic farm in the heart of the Uckermark region.
In addition to day tourists, who are interested in agriculture and organic products, Gut Kerkow attracts more and more people who want to enjoy the place and the landscape for a longer period of time. In order to satisfy these desires, specific recreational spaces are being created at three different locations in the vicinity of the estate. The architecture is based on the simple farm buildings of the surrounding area. Nevertheless, the buildings are intended to provide new impulses for the estate and the region. All of the buildings will be built using ecological wooden construction and will be supplied with energy from the farm’s own biogas plant.
A new apartment house with six residential units and a wellness area marks the start of the construction work in the north of the existing complex. Based on the architecture of Nordic longhouses and with dark wooden cladding, the compact building mediates between the historic farm and the wide landscape of the Uckermark region. The building is designed as a pure timber construction.

Further holiday apartments are planned in the southeastern part of the extensive property.
In the neighbouring residential area, however, the focus lies on detached buildings.
Approximately nine holiday homes are planned in an open style with a loose connection to each other’s positions, as can be found in the immediate vicinity. The holiday homes will be integrated into the landscape and will be positioned rather freely on the plots, in harmony with the existing vegetation. A further goal is to integrate the houses into the estate and to strengthen its touristic potential.
The single- and in some cases multi-storey houses with their steep hipped roofs merge with the landscape and the surrounding buildings.
The use of local materials and stylistic elements such as wood and brick play a major role here too. An interplay of tradition and presence that transfers the history of Kerkow unagitated into the present day.

Building project: Holiday cottages Gut Kerkow | New holiday ensembles and retreats in the Uckermark
Client: Gut Kerkow Tourismus GmbH
Completion: 2026 – in planning