Climate & Resources

What can AI do for architecture?

For a culture of sharing

What hopes do architects have for artificial intelligence? For our 1/2.2025 issue, we asked around 20 experts. Thomas Wortmann, from the Institute for Computational Design and Construction at the University of Stuttgart, hopes that the triumph of AI will be accompanied by a stronger open-source culture in architecture firms.

What can AI do for architecture?

Artificial Intelligence Needs Quality Assurance

What are architects' hopes for artificial intelligence? For our 1/2.2025 issue, we asked around 20 experts. Andreas Dieckmann from GMP Architekten warns against using AI blindly – in the end, decisions still have to be made by humans.

High-bay warehouse made of natural materials

Weleda Cradle Campus in Schwäbisch Gmünd

The clayey soil on the outskirts of Schwäbisch Gmünd prompted natural cosmetics manufacturer Weleda to use rammed earth for the base of its new high-bay warehouse. Other structures in and around the building are made entirely of wood.

Mongolian yurts interpreted in a modern way

Community Centre in Inner Mongolia by Atelier Ger

With the Zhengxiangbaiqi Grassland Community Centre, Chinese architects Atelier Ger present a contemporary reinterpretation of the Mongolian yurt, adapted to community life and equipped with modern comforts.

Müther's largest roof

gmp Architekten Renovate Hyparschale

The Hyparschale in Magdeburg is the largest surviving building designed by the architect and engineer Ulrich Müther. Over the past five years, gmp Architekten have renovated the listed building and transformed it into a modern event centre.

Architecture award

Three main prizes at Detail Award 2024

We present the winners of the Detail Award 2024. With 527 entries from 40 countries, this year's prestigious architecture prize saw record participation. 

Simple sanctuary

Refuge in the Slovak Ore Mountains by Grau Architects

The cabin in Slovakia, designed by Grau Architects, is functional yet comfortable.

Interview with Lamia Messari-Becker

How do we shift to sustainable construction?

Lamia Messari-Becker is a leading voice on sustainable construction. The professor at the University of Siegen serves as a policy advisor on various committees. In an interview with Julia Liese, she discussed her ideas for how the construction sector can address climate change.

Timber construction for communicative working

Innovation Factory Heilbronn by Waechter + Waechter

The timber construction braced with V-columns allows column-free rooms that can be flexibly divided according to the size of the start-up companies. The timber façade is displayed behind glass and becomes a landmark in the Neckaruferpark.

Athletics in the nature park

Extension of the Pierre-Paul-Bernard Stadium in Bordeaux

K Architectures have completed the renovation and extension of the Pierre-Paul-Bernard Stadium in Talence. The new sports complex blends harmoniously into the protected forest of Thouars.

Nominee DETAIL Award 2024

Conversion of a Warehouse into a Residential Building

The nominees for the Detail Award 2024 have been announced: The former Coop wine warehouse in Basel’s Lysbüchel neighbourhood was transformed into a multistorey residential building, designed to accommodate residents of all ages and diverse lifestyles. 

Moving roofscape

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts by Studio Gang

Studio Gang's sweeping folded roof connects the disparate components of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock, opening it up to the surrounding parkland.

Large wooden and rammed earth buildings

Médoc Winery by Philippe Madec & Associés

With its flat rammed-earth facade, the new Cantenac-Brown winery building is inconspicuous at first sight. Inside, however, there are two large rooms with an unusual wooden structure.

Nominee DETAIL Award 2024

Qualifying the Centre

The nominees for the Detail Award 2024 have been announced: At the heart of House 1736 is a light-filled atrium. Harquitectes designed a robust and monolithic low-cement concrete structure that helps to regulate temperature, humidity and acoustics. 

Nominee DETAIL Award 2024

The Simplicity of Earth and Wood

The nominees for the Detail Award 2024 have been announced: The daycare centre in the courtyard of the Palais de l’Alma by Atelier Régis Roudil  is defined by its use of natural materials – rammed earth and wood – blending harmoniously with the surrounding garden.

Nominee DETAIL Award 2024

Barn-Like Museum Extension

The nominees for the Detail Award 2024 have been announced: The Faith Museum by Niall McLaughlin Architects is an extension of a Grade I listed castle, positioned along the line of a medieval retaining wall from the original castle complex.

Innovative construction

Hardwald Observation Tower in Switzerland

With the observation tower in the Hardwald forest in Switzerland, the architecture firm Luna Productions has created a contemporary symbol of circular timber construction.

Nominee DETAIL Award 2024

House Without Cement in Munich

The nominees for the Detail Award 2024 have been announced: This timber house by Florian Nagler, nestled within a garden, extends the living and office space of the main building in Munich Pasing, while contributing to the goal of urban densification.