February 2017

, Stephan Braunfels Architekten: Creating Global Architectural Excellence Stephan Braunfels Architekten is a Berlin based architecture firmdrawing on over 40 years’ experience in the industry. We invited Founded Prof. Stephan Braunfels, recipient of Architect of the Year, to talk us through the firmand how it uses this experience to create stunning buildings. Founded in 1976, Stephan Braunfels Architekten draws on this vast experience and the combined experience of its staff, which number around 50, to create projects in both its native Germany and around the world. Countries the firm has previously worked in include Luxembourg, Italy, Russia, the United States of America, Mexico, Nepal and China. In his opening comments Stephan discusses his approach to every project and how he aims to ensure that clients receive the outcome they want. “Here at Stephan Braunfels Architekten we have built several large public buildings in Germany as well as structures around the world. Examples of our work include the largest art museum in Germany, the Pinakothek Modern in Munich, the largest government building in Berlin, the parliament buildings Paul-Loebe Haus and Marie-Elisabeth- Lueders Haus in Berlin, and the Federal Archive in Berlin, which is still being completed. “In order to ensure the overall success of a project, when I begin I intensively study the interests and goals of my client and their consultants as well as the program of the project. Sometimes I recommend to optimize the program and the goals before we start the designing process so as to ensure that I know exactly what they want. “In addition, I support clients who struggle with taste, and discreetly try to lead him to the rules of good architecture. Usually I offer two different preliminary designs, so the client can make their own choice.” Offering a unique style is also important to Stephan; at the same time, his is keen to respect the regional and historic sources of countries and cities of his projects. As a professor of urban design at a Berlin University he is able to gain information on the history and culture of many regions and always respects this in his work. He outlines the beginnings of his passion for his work, and how he has come to define his style. “From the very childhood, I studied history of architecture. I grew up in Aix La Chapelle, Florence and Munich, giving me a taste for exquisite, historical architecture. When I was younger I made the masterplan of the reconstruction of the city of Dresden, conducted several masterplans to reconstruct the Hofgarten Areal and the Ring street of Munich and developed a new Ring street of Dresden, the reconstruction of the castle and the center of Berlin. I also did the masterplan of the Cultural Forum of Berlin. “All of these projects were dreams come true for someone who loves historical architecture and they helped me to define my style, which is innovative in a forgotten sense. I am an urbanist architect, and as such I respect and research the historical and regional sources of the countries and cities in which I build. I try to find new and modern solutions out of the history of the places where I build - not out of the history of ‘modernism’. I always think of the city when I built a house. I travel a lot to research the old and new cities and the best, old and new buildings of the world, and draw upon this experience in every aspect of my work.” At 66 years old, Stephan shows no signs of slowing down, and continues to draw on his experience to create stunning projects which enhance the city in which they are based. He concludes by outlining what the future holds for him and how he intends to continue to build his legacy of excellence. “Moving forward, I have projects in the pipeline around the world, and I have so many ideas I want to realize. Every building is something totally new and it is exciting to bring my visions to life.” “All of these projects were dreams come true for someone who loves historical architecture and they helped me to define my style.”